Farmers urge President Kenyatta to declare locust invasion a national disaster

The Kenya Farmers Federation North Eastern Branch Vice-Chairperson, Dubat Amey, now wants President Uhuru Kenyatta to declare the locust invasion in parts of the country a national disaster.

“We are urging the government to embark on a massive aerial spraying of the locusts before they spread to neighbouring counties,” said Amey.

“We are staring at a massive food shortage in the country if the locusts invade the rich agricultural regions of this country. The invasion is no longer a ministerial affair but a national concern.”

Addressing the press in Garissa town, Amey on Wednesday termed the locust invasion a menace that is not only destructive to the environment but that could wipe out farmlands.

“These are insects that can quickly and within no time turn a country into a desert if action is not taken,” he noted.

Dubat said the locust invasion has so far affected the regions of Isiolo, Turkana, Samburu and Baringo Counties and threatens to spread southwards.

“Soon they could reach Kenya’s bread basket counties of Trans-Nzoia and Uasin Gishu. This is a threat to the food security of this country,” he said.

The farmers’ body boss also urged international organizations – among them Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and the European Union (EU) – to assist the government in containing the spread of the dreaded locusts.