This archive report was first published on 10 January 2020.
On January 10, 2020, the Kenyan government intensified its efforts to combat the desert locust infestation by dispatching a second air spray aircraft to Isiolo.
Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries Cabinet Secretary Mwangi Kiunjuri explained that the government has allocated 254 million shillings to help in efforts to fight the desert locusts, with an additional Sh50 million expected from the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO).
The desert locusts, which have the ability to fly an average of 120 kilometers per day, have invaded Mandera, Marsabit, Garissa, Wajir, Isiolo, and Samburu counties.
According to Kiunjuri, the first swarm crossed the border into Kenya from Somalia on December 28, 2019, and other swarms continued coming from Ethiopia, with additional ones from Somalia.
The government has been working to control the locusts by placing technical officers on the ground, training local people to support both ground and aerial teams, and distributing pesticides and other equipment.
"The desert locusts have the potential to spread rapidly to other counties and pose an unprecedented threat to food security and other livelihoods," said Kiunjuri.
He added that the government is taking precautions to ensure that the swarms do not advance to other areas and is continuing to offer trainings and emergency briefings for key officers in the affected counties.
