Locusts cause panic ahead of planting season in North Rift

Swarms of desert locusts that flew in several areas of North Rift have caused panic among farmers, but no destruction of crops has been reported.

Farmers across the maize producing region however expressed fears that the desert locusts may destroy the crop if allowed to lay eggs and multiply ahead of the planting season later in March.

In the last three weeks, the locusts have, in their millions swarmed West Pokot in Elgeyo Marakwet, Uasin Gishu, Baringo and Trans Nzoia counties. 

Two weeks ago, the insects were spotted in several parts of Endebess and Kwanza constituencies, sparking fears of destruction of crops in the country’s food basket, but no destruction of crops and vegetation was reported. 

The locusts were believed to be from Bokwo area in the Eastern region of Uganda. In Elgeyo Marakwet, desert locusts that flew from neighbouring Baringo County settled in Rimoi National Game Reserve, Chegilet, Arror and parts of Endo areas of drought-prone Kerio Valley for more than a week.

No food destruction was reported, but agricultural officers and Kenya Wildlife warders said their menace was a potential threat to food security. 

The locusts were also a major attraction in the maize and wheat producing areas of Lower Moiben, Sugut, Kabomoi, Chebororwa, Seretyo, Barsombe and Karandili in Uasin Gishu County. But Uasin Gishu County Executive Member (CECM) in charge of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries Samuel Yego said the locusts did not cause any destruction. 

“The eggs hatch in 21 days and their numbers may increase ahead of the planting season. We are urging our farmers to closely monitor their patterns for spraying,” he said. 

In Kitale, Agricultural Development Corporation Regional Manager Maurice Cherengony said “the locusts were spotted in Suam Orchards and Chepchoiana ADC farm, but we are glad they caused no major destruction to crops. We are putting in place measures to ensure they are destroyed.”

Assessing the situation

In West Pokot, the desert locusts swarmed the Weiwei irrigation scheme but not much destruction was caused. West Pokot Agriculture Executive Joel Ngasia said: “County officers were dispatched to assess the situation. At this point, we cannot assure residents that there is no cause for alarm.”

Elgeyo Marakwet Agriculture CECM Anne Kibosia said the locusts did not threaten food security in the county but reported that the insects laid eggs along Kerio River. 

The desert locusts however returned to highland areas of Kapchemutwa near Iten in Elgeyo Marakwet where they settled on farms in the area. 

Farmers said the locusts landed in the area on Thursday and were still flying in large numbers in the area yesterday.

Separately, the Senate Agriculture Committee has asked for the release of more chemicals to spray the areas invaded by desert locusts and the hatching eggs on people’s farms. The committee, which is led by chairperson Njeru Ndwiga said there was massive destruction of crops in Tharaka North in Tharaka Nithi County. “The things we have seen today are worrying. The old locusts have gone but have left millions of eggs that are hatching now and causing destruction,” said Ndwiga, adding the visit would inform the next step of action.

 [Additional reporting by Dickson Mwiti]