Kenya to benefit from Ksh 7 billion to mitigate locust invasion

Kenya will benefit from part of the Ksh 7 billion meant to mitigate the invasion of locusts from donor organization in Eastern Africa.

The Director-General of Desert locust control organization Stephen Njoka, says the country has favourable ecological conditions for the locusts to breed and hence needs to be supported to control the spread.

The invasive insects are expected to decimate vegetation in Baringo and Turkana counties if urgent measures are not put in place to manage the swarms.

Kenya is facing a serious threat from the invasive locusts that are now said to be spreading south.

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), unusual weather and climate conditions have contributed to the spread, including heavy and widespread rains since October last year.

The Director-General of desert locust control organization Stephen Njoka says the locust swarms is likely to continue until June due to the continuation of favourable ecological conditions for Desert Locust breeding calling for ground surveillance activities for early detection to be increased.

The organization predicts the further movements are expected, especially in Turkana and Marsabit Counties

Leaders are calling on the government to scale up its efforts to contain the spread of the locusts.