Now in Kitui and Baringo, Locusts may end up at the Coast, Nyanza and others to Uganda -FAO warns Government

Swarms of locust in Tsiekuru, Mulungoni and Mwingi North. PHOTO | NMG 

Eastern(Ukambani) region is now a new home for the desert locusts. Locusts invade parts of Kitui county. They were circumnavigated from Isiolo which borders Mwingi.


New swarms of locust have been reported in Tsiekuru, Mulungoni and Mwingi North Game Reserve in Kitui County. Mwingi Deputy County Commissioner Ann Mitema Tuesday confirmed the intrusion in Mwingi saying Kitui County Government has been alerted regarding the issue.


She said ward administrators and Agricultural Extension officers had been directed to monitor the situation and see what action to take.

“The first attacked the game reserve before spreading to other areas. The latest am told they have spread to Mulangoni,” she said.

Areas affected in Kitui are Tsekuru, Ngomeni, Kyuso, Matooni; Kathaalani Mukumanza as well as Kavaani.

“A team from the Desert Locusts Monitoring unit has been dispatched from Nairobi to spray the locusts,” Kitui Deputy Governor Dr Wathe Nzau said.

“It appeared like a dark cloud in the sky over Chepukana hill and when they landed in the village it was difficult to walk because they settled all over the ground. They also covered the trees,”  Sam Lokales, area MCA Tirioko Ward, Baringo county said.

According to experts, the Locusts movement invaded in Mwingi could end up at the coast as weather changes predict.

"We have a division in swarms movement. It was just one large swarm in Mandera, then later divided into small swarms which are now larger swarms. Some moved towards Mt. Kenya, others downward towards easter region while others towards RiftValley," UN representative warn.


" If the government does not up its game, then the locust will end up at the coast, Nyanza while others to Uganda. We urge everybody to stay alert, " the UN(FAO) representative added.