Agriculture CS Peter Munya: On Monday, the former Meru Governor sparked reactions online after he assured Kenyans that all the remaining “yellow” locusts would soon die of old age…
A swarm of desert locust have invaded parts of Kisumu county through Muhoroni subcounty which borders Nandi county.
The invasion has caused panic among residents in the area who asked for quick action by the county and national governments.
Muhoroni Deputy county commissioners Erick Wanyonyi said the locusts were sighted at Kamarawa village, Wang’aya One Sub-location in Nyang’oma Location of Miwani Division.
“The invasion was reported by chiefs in the area on Monday evening. I will visit the area to ascertain such,” he said.
Wanyonyi said he has informed the County Commissioner Susan Waweru and county government officials of the invasion and they expect action.
He called for urgent intervention to control the locusts noting that Muhoroni is the county’s key food basket.
[VIDEO]: Locusts now in Muhoroni, Kisumu County. pic.twitter.com/LkfbAW0ThZ
— The African Voice (@teddyeugene) February 18, 2020
Muhoroni is a cane growing area and hosts three state-owned sugar company namely Chemelil, Muhoroni and Miwani.
Farmers in the subcounty also practise horticultural crops and livestock farming.
Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Peter Munya Sunday appealed for patience from Kenyans in locust-infested counties saying the government had upscaled ongoing efforts to contain desert locusts.
He said a recent aerial surveillance had reveled most swarms comprised of what he termed as yellow locusts which he said would “die soon,” dispelling fears of an imminent destruction of food crops that could potentially render the country food insecure.
“We’ve conducted an aerial surveillance and ascertained that the yellow locusts you see around are very old and are actually nearing the end of their lifespan,” he said.
“These old locusts pose no threat. I want you to understand the science of locusts. They’re about to hatch their eggs and so they’re just going to fly to where they’ll hatch,” the Cabinet Secretary who spoke in Karambari village, Mbeere North, in Embu indicated.
LOCUSTS: How Agriculture CS Peter Munya created his own 'Kiunjuri moment.' pic.twitter.com/tUpQhaG2dg
— Nairobi News (@Nairobi_News) February 17, 2020
