This archive report was first published on 13 January 2020.
Published on January 13, 2020, a locust invasion was reported in Meru County, with the county government admitting to the presence of the pests in some areas.
Meru Chief of Staff Gideon Kimathi confirmed that the locusts had invaded areas bordering Isiolo County, including Kachuru. He stated that a multi-agency team had been formed to combat the locusts, comprising officials from Meru, Isiolo, Tharaka Nithi, and Samburu counties.
Locals in Oldonyiro, Isiolo County, reported spotting plagues of locusts on Friday afternoon at Kipsing area. Isiolo County Chief Officer for Agriculture Salad Tutana confirmed the invasion and promised to provide updates on the spread of the insects.
Residents in Kipsing claimed that the locusts had invaded their area through Archers Post in Samburu East, while others came through Laisamis in Marsabit County. The locusts have now reached Oldonyiro division, which borders Laikipia, and it is feared that five game reserves may have been invaded.
Meru MP Maoka Maore urged the national government to help counties fight the locust menace, stating, “There are locusts in Ndumuru and Kachuru. We plead with national government to disregard county government officers saying there are no locusts in Meru and help avert disaster.”
Earlier, Meru County Agriculture Executive Carol Mutiga had denied claims of a locust invasion, stating, “There is no cause for alarm because county and national government officers have visited Ndumuru and Kinna and have found no desert locusts.” However, after images of the locust invasion went viral, she was forced to change her stance.
