The government will install CCTV cameras among other surveillance equipment in three water towers at a cost of Sh3.2 billion for early fire detection.

Acting Chief Conservator of Forest Alex Lermarkoko said forest fires have been a challenge in the bid to achieve the 10 per cent forest cover.

Three water towers including Mau, Aberdare and Mt Kenya will be installed with state-of-the-art surveillance equipment covering at least 1.9 acres.

“Forest fires pose a real threat to the survival of the forests ecosystem. Out of the 47 counties, 20 of them are classified as having forest fire hotspots, and the situation is being complicated by the negative effect of climate change,” said Lermarkoko.

He noted that in the last decade, Kenya has recorded 457 major fire incidents that resulted in a loss of 305,946 acres of forests.

The project dubbed Capacity Development Project for Modern Technologies in Forest Fire Management in Kenya is funded by the French government.

Speaking during the signing of the agreement with Kenya Forest Service, French State Minister for International Development Chrysoula Zacharopoulou commended the government for its efforts to protect and conserving the environment.