Busia Deputy Governor and migratory pest’s specialist Moses Mulomi has warned of the dangers posed by desert locusts that have invaded five counties in Kenya.
Addressing the press on Thursday, the Deputy Governor and leading entomologist said allowing the spread of the aggressive pests was a danger to the country’s food security and the economy.
“The invasion of the desert locusts in Wajir, Mandera, Garissa and the latest being Meru and Isiolo Counties is a cause for worry, thus the need for concerted efforts to tame its spread,” he said.
Mulomi said the desert locusts have the capacity to create 3-5 generations in a year which could translate to over 40 million per year.
One locust can produce over 100 eggs under favorable climatic conditions.
He said there is urgent need for the departments of Agriculture, Devolution and National security agencies to assist the Regional Desert Locusts Control Organization to contain the marauding pests.
The DG urged the National Government to give adequate support to Desert Locusts Control Organization for East Africa (DLCOEA) to enable it to manage the migratory desert locusts.
“While I appreciate the efforts put up by the National Government in trying to control the spread of the aggressive pests, lack of enough capacity by the DLCOEA was an impediment in its efforts to tame the spread,” he said.
“DLCOEA rely on the funding from East African Community Member states; due to delay in payments, this organization is incapacitated while discharging its mandate,” he said.
He said the on-going aerial sprays where 3000L of chemicals were used was inadequate.
Mulomi added that there is need to look for support from countries which are prone to locusts and have emergency chemical products.
He added that while carrying out aerial sprays, there is need to consider social and environmental issues and the types of chemicals used to avoid catastrophic consequences.
Mulomi also took issue with scientists’ little intervention in the operations, leaving the exercise to armatures, noting that insecurity and lack of coordinated approach were major challenges in the control of locusts.
The pests’ experts also cited Red Locusts which have five breading areas in neighboring Tanzania as another catastrophe in waiting in terms of food security if no urgent measures are taken to tame the pests.