The return of desert locusts in Mandera County

There have been reports of a swarm of desert locusts’ invasion in Mandera County.

Williams Hamisi, FAO Kenya deputy representative confirmed that a swarm of desert locusts was sighted in Mandera County on Monday.  

He said it was one swarm that strayed all the way from Somalia about 180 kilometres away from the Kenya-Somali border.

“There was some wind flying south that brought the mature swarm into the country,” he said adding that FAO and the Government are making arrangements to spray it today evening or tomorrow morning.

Mandera Governor Ali Roba said they are experiencing an invasion of desert locust in Rhamudimtu ward in Mandera North Sub-county since last evening.

“It has been confirmed by the Agriculture Department team. The locusts swarmed the region yesterday at sunset. They moved in from Ethiopia. The report by our local technical team as of yesterday reveals that an area of approximately 2,000 hectares is under invasion by the destructive insects within the ward,” said Roba.

He urged the National Government to act swiftly and contain them by aerial straying before it spreads beyond Mandera.

“The locusts have affected the region which is reeling from drought and is feared may destroy pasture for the pastoralists living in the area,” said Roba.

Hamisi said there is no cause for alarm because it is just one swarm and they are dealing with it.

He said FAO will intensify what they are doing in Ethiopia more so that there is nothing much that can come when the wind starts blowing south.

Hamisi explained that desert locusts have been invading the country around late November going to December.

The desert locusts were first reported in Mandera in December 2019, triggering the worst locust outbreak the country has experienced in 70 years.

In 2020, various parts of Kenya were then hit by a second wave of voracious insects until early this year.

 “Kenya has been able to fight the locust upsurge but they are still a menace in the neighbouring countries of Ethiopia and Somalia hence the invasion. The issue of wars in some of these countries have made it difficult to even do surveillance," said Hamisi adding that Kenya has enough resources and is prepared to fight the invasive pests.

"When we are not able to do the survey, it is easy for them to mature and fly. But we will be closely monitoring what is happening in Ethiopia and Somalia.”