This archive report was first published on 4 January 2020.
Kenya's government has turned to aerial sprays to combat a locust invasion in northern regions, marking a shift from its previous strategy of shooting in the air to scare away the insects.
According to State Spokesman Cyrus Oguna, the government has acquired 3000 litres of chemical for the exercise, which will be dispatched to the affected counties. An aircraft has been deployed to Wajir, where the exercise will begin, guided by ground locust support teams.
Residents of the affected counties had previously resorted to desperate measures, including shouting, whistling, and striking with objects to combat the locusts. However, their efforts were short-lived as a second swarm, which was thrice the size of the first, returned.
On December 28, 2020, locusts invaded Kenya from Somalia, prompting the government to deploy police officers to the affected areas to shoot in the air and scare away the locusts. However, the government has now ruled out this approach, citing concerns over public health.
“We wish to assure that the chemicals to be used to spray have been registered and authorized for the control of locusts hence not harmful if used according to the guidelines,” Oguna said.
Locusts have ravaged Wajir, Marsabit, and Mandera counties, with the government promising to brief the public on the progress of the spraying exercise tomorrow.
