Kenya: Tiny insects help eradicate ‘killer’ cactus, save pasture

Dr Arne Witt, Regional Coordinator for Invasive Species at Centre for Agriculture Biosciences International (CABI) in Ol Jogi Ranch in Laikipia County explain to the members of the public how cochineal controls the invasive cactus. (PHOTO: NANJINIA WAMUSWA)

Joshua Simel has always struggled to find pasture for his livestock. “During extreme cases of drought, l lose tens of livestock. I suffer huge losses,” he says.

For Simel and other pastoralists in Naibor, Laikipia County, livestock is their livelihood. Livestock is everything to them: it provides food, income, and, most importantly in these parts of Kenya, status.