Desert locusts scare farmers in Kakamega

Farmers in Kakamega County have warned of impending dessert
locust invasion, which they say was spotted in the neighbouring county of
Bungoma.

The farmers said they are worried of their crops being destroyed
before maturity, bearing in mind that this is the planting season and number of
farmers have already planted seedlings, awaiting germination.

They warned the county government to come up with measures
and prepare for the inversion, so as to prevent the locusts from destroying
crops and plants.

“If the County Government fails to plan well for the
invasion of desert locusts, they will destroy our crops, plants leading to
hunger and famine. This will kill our families and livestock,” observes one
farmer from Ikolomani constituency.

Dessert locusts invaded the country in December 2019 through
North Eastern parts of Kenya, including areas of Wajir, Mandera, Marsabit and
Garissa.

The government took measures to curb the insect
spread, including spraying of pesticides in affected farms, after farmers cried
foul of desperate measures to repel the insects that have been threatening food
security in the area.

By the January 31 2020, the locusts had spread to almost
eight counties in the country including Marsabit, Wajir, Kitui, Garissa, Mandera,
Baringo, Turkana and Laikipia.

According to Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the
invasion is the worst situation in 25 years for most countries and the worst
situation in 70 years for Kenya

The Desert Locust is a serious threat to the food security
of East Africa; currently threatening rural livelihoods