CS Kiunjuri's update on the locust invasion in the country

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CS Agriculture Mwangi Kiunjuri has  said that the government continues to take precautionally measures to fight the locust invasion in the country.

 Speaking to the media in Nairobi, the CS said that the locust invasion is proving a real threat to food security in the country despite the government's efforts to wipe it out. "The worst affected areas are Wajir,Marsabit,Garissa,Isiolo and Samburu.  The swarms started coming into Kenya from Somalia and Ethiopia. We have managed to spray several swarms of locusts with the help of trained officers. We have also distributed pesticides, on air and hand held sprayers to fight the menace,"he said.

Kiunjuri also added that his ministry will deploy 2 aircrafts stationed at Isiolo and Wajir to help monitor the situation. He urged Kenyans to be vigilant and report to the local authorities any swarm movement. "We are following the locusts with vehicles and we have noted that the best time to spray them is when they are resting at around 4-6 pm. If you sight the locusts kindly contact the local administration and we will respond," he said.  He also advised Kenyans to avoid alarmist statements over the same."Note that not all grasshoppers are desert locusts. We have a team of accomplished scientists ready to help us identify the real locusts. " he added.

The CS noted that they are having challenges fighting the invasion because of border insecurity and logistical problems in the affected areas but assured Kenyans that the Government is doing everything possible to eliminate the locusts.