SECOND WAVE

State releases 10 aircrafts to fight second locust invasion

In Summary

• Addressing the media on Friday, Government spokesman Cyrus Oguna said this is to ensure that the locusts will be eradicated.

• The Food and Agriculture Organisation, a UN body, seeks Sh3.7 billion to continue the fight on the pests in Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia and Sudan.

A pastoralist in Loima subcounty in Turkana trying to chase away a swarm of desert locusts.
LOCUSTS: A pastoralist in Loima subcounty in Turkana trying to chase away a swarm of desert locusts.
Image: HESBORN ETYANG

The Government has provided 10 aircraft for surveillance and pesticides spraying exercises to contain locust invasion in six counties.

This was after Kenya experienced the second wave of attack.

About 11 counties were initially affected and five have so far been contained.

The aircraft will spray the remaining six counties.

Addressing the media on Friday, Government spokesman Cyrus Oguna said this is to ensure that the locusts will be eradicated.

"...and we will stop other counties from being invaded," he said.

Immature swarms of desert locusts have spread to Meru County.

Locusts have also infested Wajir, Garissa, Marsabit, Samburu, Laikipia and Isiolo counties.

This comes as the Food and Agriculture Organisation, a UN body, seeks Sh3.7 billion to continue the fight on the pests in Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia and Sudan.

Carla Mucavi, FAO Kenya country representative, said they need Sh8 million to continue control efforts in Kenya.

FAO said swarms in Kenya will start reproducing in the coming months and this may coincide with the long rains planting season.

FAO predicts that a new generation will emerge in early April.

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