Embu residents now forced to eat locusts since the govt’ has abandoned them- MCAs say

Embu Ward Representatives have expressed disappointment with the National Government’s saying it has completely abandoned the fight against desert locusts.

Kagaari South MCA Robert Ireri revealed that the insects have now invaded tea plantations in Kyeni North War.

He said it was ironical for the government to respond to the coronavirus outbreak, yet it had failed to effectively deal with insects that could be seen with the naked eye.

The ward Rep said the lack of goodwill exhibited by the government was telling of how prepared the country was in dealing with disasters of national magnitude.

Ireri added that for operations like the new coronavirus screening, testing, and treatment to bear fruit, it would take the concerted effort and commitment from state personnel and not lipservice.

Evurore MCA Duncan Mbui echoed the sentiments, adding that the insects had invaded Kavengero and Karigiri villages in his ward after crossing from Kathunguri and Kigumo in the neighbouring Kyeni South ward.

He however said locals had no other option other than eating the locusts, since the government had abandoned efforts to eradicate them.

Mbui lamented over what he termed as lopsided priorities by the National Government, blaming Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Peter Munya of being aloof and indifferent to the plight of farmers who are in desperate need of services.

The MCA further warned of assumptions that the locust menace was a non-issue in the wake of the Coronavirus plague, insisting that the matter was still serious.

At the same time, he said that the desert locusts had mutated and started living in the highland regions of the county and were totally resistant to noises that used to ward them off in the recent past.