NAIVASHA, Kenya — Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) has dismissed viral claims that Mount Longonot erupted, terming the videos circulating online as false and dangerous misinformation.
The footage, widely shared on Facebook and X, shows flames and thick smoke billowing from the mountain, prompting panic and speculation that the dormant volcano had become active.
However, KWS officials at Mount Longonot National Park said the incident involved bushfires, not a volcanic eruption.
“This is not an eruption. These are bushfires, likely caused by human activity,” KWS said adding that similar misinformation had previously circulated in 2022.
According to KWS, bushfires are a recurring threat at Mount Longonot, particularly during dry seasons when vegetation becomes highly flammable. The fires are often caused by discarded cigarettes, deliberate vegetation burning, charcoal burning, grazing activities, or careless hikers.
“This is a known risk in the Hell’s Gate–Longonot ecosystem,” the agency said.
Historical data shows the scale of the threat. In 2009, bushfires consumed more than 4,600 hectares of vegetation in the area. In 2021, fires believed to have been started by hikers burned over 40 hectares inside the park.
Such fires have severe ecological and public safety consequences. KWS said previous outbreaks forced thousands of animals, including zebras, giraffes, and buffalo, to flee into nearby settlements, heightening human-wildlife conflict and safety risks for residents.
Mount Longonot, located within Kenya’s Great Rift Valley, last erupted in 1863. It has remained dormant for more than 160 years.
The volcano recorded minor seismic activity in 2007–2008 and again in 2013, but experts confirmed at the time that the tremors did not amount to an eruption or require evacuations.
Despite its dormant status, KWS said the mountain remains under continuous monitoring because it lies within the active East African Rift system, where volcanic reactivation is scientifically possible.
The agency urged the public to rely on verified information from official sources and avoid sharing unconfirmed content that could trigger unnecessary panic.
“Misinformation around disasters can be dangerous,” KWS warned, calling for responsible online behaviour, especially during the dry season when bushfires are common.
