This archive report was first published on 10 January 2020.
Garissa County is facing a severe livestock disease outbreak, with over a hundred goats reportedly killed in Lagdera and Balambala sub-counties.
According to reports, the areas have been invaded by desert locusts, which locals fear might be the cause of the strange disease.
Locals claim that if the situation continues unchecked, the green vegetation that sprouted as a result of the heavy rains could be lost within weeks, resulting in an early drought situation.
They also expressed fear that the county risks losing huge parcels of pasture land if the menace is not contained, with Balambala alone reportedly losing over 17,000 acres of pastures land and green vegetation.
Meanwhile, Busia Deputy Governor and migratory pests specialist Moses Mulomi has warned of the dangers posed by desert locusts that have invaded five counties, threatening the country's food security and economy.
Regional Desert Locusts Control Organization has been urged to contain the fast-moving pests.
