Invest in research to stem disasters and reduce loss from locust threat

Concerted efforts to address the locust situation are bearing fruit, with the Desert Locust Control Organisation for Eastern Africa confirming a success rate of 80 per cent.

Large swarms have covered an area of 60km by 40km in Kenya alone, according to the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), as agencies pitch for Sh7 billion funding to rid eastern Africa region of the menace. This is the worst desert locust situation in Kenya in 70 years, and the worst in 25 years for the other affected countries, mainly Somalia and Ethiopia. Uganda and South Sudan could also be casualties in the next few days, experts have warned.