Kenya among countries to receive WB Sh53b in fight against locust

The World Bank on Thursday approved a record over Sh53 billion ($500 million) in grants and low-interest loans to help countries in Africa and the Middle East fight swarms of desert locusts that are eating their way across vast swaths of crops and rangelands.

Four of the hardest-hit countries - Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda - will receive Sh17 billion ($160 million) immediately, Holger Kray, a senior World Bank official said. He said Yemen, Somalia and other affected countries could tap funds as needed.