Kitui locust invasion: Chopper to return on Thursday with aerial spray

A chopper that was deployed to Kitui County after locusts invaded part of the county will return on Thursday.

The aircraft sprayed some parts of Ngomeni ward then returned to Nairobi.

Kitui Deputy Governor Dr. Wathe Nzau said the chopper will be back on Thursday morning to spray pesticides over Kyuso and Tseikuru.

John Makau, the Minister for Environment and Natural Resources in Kitui, said the locusts are migrating towards Nguni in the Mwingi Central.

According to him, this is due to climate change and Kenyans should be encouraged to preserve the environment.

He averred that the insects were mostly perched on tall trees which has saved farmers in the area from losing their produce.

“We should stop cutting down trees. You can see how they have saved us from the devastation that would have been caused by the locusts,” he said.

He noted that the locust invasion was confirmed in Kyuso location in Mwingi North Sub County.

Residents were seen trying to chase away the insects with their hands.