This archive report was first published on 12 January 2020.
January 12, 2020
Locust swarms have descended on Sirata Lalkanchao, Samburu central, east and north Sub-counties in the last few days, destroying crops and vegetation.
According to CEC member in charge of Agriculture Vincent Learaman, a team has been constituted to coordinate the locust control programme, with the county's departments of agriculture and special programmes taking the lead role.
Residents in Samburu East, including Dan Mpagani of Archers village, have been counting losses after a swarm of locusts invaded his farm on Friday.
Mr Mpagani stated that residents informed local administration and agricultural officers about the attack but nothing has been done to stop them from spreading.
“Colonies of the pest invaded our farms on Tuesday, and they continue to destroy vegetation,” he said.
Nodoto Ward MCA Raisy Letura, whose area has been affected by the insects, urged the national government to address the disaster with urgency.
“The ministry should set up stringent measures to avert destruction caused by the locusts. It is worrying that we might have famine because what we intend to feed our livestock on is being destroyed,” she said.
