This archive report was first published on 6 January 2020.
January 6, 2020, marked the start of aerial spraying in Wajir, northern Kenya, as the government sought to combat the invasion of desert locusts.
The locusts, which had invaded the country from Somalia and Ethiopia, posed a significant threat to food security in the region.
According to Hassan Gure, an official from the county Department of Agriculture, the first phase of spraying targeted a colony of locusts in Wajir South, near the Wajir-Garissa border.
The second phase focused on a colony of desert locusts that had invaded the county via Diff, an area between the Kenya-Somalia border.
Mr. Gure warned that another, larger colony of locusts was migrating into Ashabito ward, Mandera.
Meanwhile, in Nairobi, Livestock Principal Secretary Harry Kimtai expressed concerns about the impact of the locusts on livestock farmers.
“Animals will suffer as the vegetation that is just recovering from drought is now being damaged by these insects,” he said.
The national team sent to the region to undertake aerial spraying was split into two groups, with one group proceeding to mobilize the ground team in Moyale, Marsabit, and the other continuing with survey and control in Wajir.
State spokesman Cyrus Oguna had earlier announced that 3,000 litres of pesticides had been acquired to help combat the locusts.
Wajir, Marsabit, and Garissa counties were the worst hit by the locusts menace.
