This archive report was first published on 20 July 2021.
On July 20, 2021, President Joe Biden announced plans to form a US-backed team to help Kenya and other East African countries combat locust invasions that threaten food security in the region.
The proposed team will comprise representatives from the United States Agency for International Development, the US National Security Council, and the US Departments of State, Defence, and Agriculture.
According to a Bill filed before the US Congress, the team's primary objective is to develop a comprehensive, strategic plan to control locust outbreaks in East Africa and prevent future outbreaks that could compromise food security, economic productivity, and political stability.
Kenya was the hardest hit by the locust invasion in 2020, with the Treasury terming the invasion a 'systemic risk' that could prevent the economy from attaining its medium-term growth target of seven percent.
Locust swarms first appeared in late 2019, dispersing eastwards from Yemen and leaving Kenya, Somalia, and Ethiopia hardest hit.
The Treasury has funneled tens of millions of shillings towards controlling the locusts, and the government has warned that the invasion poses a significant risk to agricultural production and food security.
