Locusts now invade Kisumu County

Kisumu County farmers were at risk of counting losses after locusts stormed their farms on Tuesday, posing a big threat to the sugarcane farmers, who are already facing challenges. 

Muhoroni Sub-county residents from Ngere Kamarawa narrated how the destructive pests had been seen around for the past fortnight, and how they had now invaded sugarcane farms.

"We have been told they flew from areas of Nyando before coming to our farms. The insects multiply very fast, and we fear they will destroy crops," stated David Otieno, one of the sugarcane farmers.

Mr. Erick Wanyonyi, the Deputy County Commissioner for Muhoroni, called upon the governments both National and County to step in and have an assessment over the destruction that had so far been incurred following the invasion. 

"Muhoroni is the food basket for Kisumu County, we should not wait for farmers to start counting losses," urged Mr. Wanyonyi, adding that, should something not be done urgently, the pests were likely to spread to Ahero and Kano rice schemes.

Experts were dispatched by Kisumu County Agriculture department on Tuesday in attempts to assess the situation, with the Agriculture CEC Mr. Okuom Gilchrist, calling upon residents not to worry. 

"From our team of officers, the insects have no characteristics of desert locusts. However, we advise spraying [them] with suitable insecticides to assuage fears," noted Mr. Okuom, adding that more information on the kind of insect would be availed in due time.