No Volcanic Eruption at Mount Longonot, KWS Clarifies After Viral Videos

Authorities have dismissed claims that Mount Longonot has erupted, confirming that widely shared videos showing flames and smoke captured bushfires within the national park, not volcanic activity.

Videos circulating on social media platforms, including Facebook and X, showed fire and heavy smoke on the slopes of Mount Longonot, prompting concern that the dormant volcano in Kenya’s Rift Valley had become active. The footage spread rapidly and caused alarm among members of the public.

The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), which manages Mount Longonot National Park, said the reports were false and reiterated that the incident involved bushfires. Officials noted that similar misinformation had circulated in the past, including an incident in 2022, and warned that inaccurate online claims could compromise public safety and trust in official updates.

According to KWS, bushfires are a recurring problem in the park, particularly during dry periods when vegetation is highly flammable. Many fires are linked to human activity, including discarded cigarettes, intentional burning, arson related to charcoal production, and the actions of hikers and pastoralists grazing livestock near the park.

Previous fires have caused extensive damage. In 2009, more than 4,600 hectares were burned, while a fire in 2021, believed to have been started by hikers, destroyed over 40 hectares of land.

The fires also pose risks to wildlife. Animals such as zebras, giraffes, and buffalo are often forced to leave the park during outbreaks, sometimes moving into nearby residential areas and increasing the risk of human-wildlife conflict. The wider Hell’s Gate–Longonot area is particularly exposed due to its proximity to pastoral land.

Mount Longonot last erupted in 1863 and is considered dormant. Although minor seismic activity was recorded in 2007–2008 and again in 2013, there were no eruptions or evacuations. The volcano continues to be monitored because it lies within the geologically active East African Rift system.