This archive report was first published on 10 January 2020.
Kenya is facing a locust invasion, with the pests having reached Isiolo County in the north. The situation is dire, with farmlands in Wajir, Mandera, and Marsabit counties already affected.
However, some experts believe that locusts can be a valuable source of protein. Dr. Frank Kirera, a businessman in Isiolo Town, has been advocating for the consumption of locusts. 'We used to pluck their wings and fry them; they are very sweet,' he said.
The Food Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has been promoting the idea of eating insects, including locusts, as a sustainable source of protein. A 2015 study published in PLOS ONE journal found that eating locusts can help reduce the risk of heart diseases due to their high sterol content.
Dr. Muo Kasina, the chairman of the Entomological Society of Kenya, has also been urging farmers to consider eating the locusts. 'One of the ways to control the swarms is to avoid chasing them away. We can allow them to settle and control them by eating them and spraying pesticides,' he said.
However, Dr. Kasina cautioned against eating sprayed insects, as they may contain harmful chemicals. Dr. George Ongamo, who coordinates a desert locust management team, said that the locusts entered the country on December 22.
It's worth noting that not all locust sightings are of the desert locust. In Meru County, what appeared to be desert locusts were identified as swarms of green grasshoppers, which were eliminated by spraying.
