Maize disease threaten food security in Laikipia, Nyandarua counties

Laikipia, Kenya: The maize disease that has been affecting the crop in parts of Rift valley region has now affected crops in Laikipia and Nyandarua regions.

Over 80 per cent of the maize crop in the two counties have been affected by the Maize Lethal Necrosis Disease (MLND).

The two counties have sounded alarm of a possible food shortage in the next one year as the crops have totally been destroyed.

Laikipia County Executive Member in charge of Agriculture Duncan Mwariri said that almost the entire of the population has been affected. He said that the disease was first noticed last month at the farms near Subukia.

"This is a disease that has emanated from North and Central Rift and now it has reached Laikipia and neighbouring Nyandarua counties. The entire population in Laikipia has now been affected and we fear that there might have been a food shortage," he said.

As part of the measures to arrest the situation, Mwariri said the Laikipia county government has set aside Sh5m to roll out programs that will sensitize farmers on the need to diversify their farming and curb over reliance on maize.

"These funds will enable farmers to engage in horticulture since the crops grown through horticulture like cabbages and tomatoes will mature quickly and help in shielding the residents against hunger," he said.

Last month, a section of county leaders met with officers from Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service KEPHIS and Kenya

Agricultural Research Institute KARI to decide on how the new disease that was first spotted in the country four years ago will be tackled.

Among the resolutions passed during the meeting held in Naivasha was for the two institutions to develop new varieties of maize that would be resistant to the disease.