Another wave of locusts has left a trail of destruction in several parts of Tigania in Meru County.
Farmers from Muthara and Akithi areas are calling on the government to provide technical assistance as the desert locusts wipe out farmlands in the area.
Ordinarily, it is almost harvesting time in most parts of Meru, but the locusts seem to be having a fair share of the harvest.
“In a single day, the locusts have cleared the maize in our farms. The county and national government should move with speed in addressing this matter,” says a Muthara resident.
In the past, authorities have strived to mobilize resources to ensure the insects do not cause havoc, including acquiring chemicals and aircrafts for spraying and helicopters for surveillance.
Other counties that are poised to be affected by the invasion are Mandera, Wajir, Marsabit, Isiolo, Garissa, Tana River, Turkana, Tharaka Nithi, Embu, Uasin Gishu, Elgeyo Marakwet and Pokot.
The government earlier stated it will also deploy National Youth Service (NYS) personnel to collaborate with counties to tackle the spread of the desert locusts.
The UN says that Kenya has been having good breeding conditions that favor the locusts.
This year had already seen the worst East Africa invasion in 70 years, with the second wave expected to be more devastating in 2021.
Meru Daily News is your one-stop trusted source for the latest News updates from Meru County, Tharaka Nithi and the larger Mt. Kenya region. Follow our Social Media Pages for real-time News Bytes.
