Aerial Spraying of Locusts in Northern Kenya Set to Kick Off

Aerial spraying of locusts that have ravaged northern Kenya will begin today (Saturday), government spokesperson Cyrus Oguna has said.

Wajir’s agriculture chief officer Noor Mohammed had earlier said a helicopter had been dispatched to Mandera for aerial spraying.

Locusts invaded parts of Wajir and Mandera five days ago from neighbouring Somalia.

Affected residents had resorted to shouting, honking of vehicles, striking metallic objects and whistling to get rid of the insects that have left a trail of destruction in their wake.

According to reports, other residents recited the Koran to get rid of the flying pests.

In some areas, police, who were providing security to residents, were seen shooting in the air to scare away the locusts.

The invasion is threatening to wipe out much-needed animal pasture.

By Wednesday evening, the swarms had migrated into Marsabit County.

However, another colony of desert locusts migrated into northern Kenya from Ethiopia on Wednesday evening.

Reports indicate that the flying pests got into the county via Bute and Gurar areas in Wajir North before settling seven kilometres from Bute town.