Anytime
soon, East Africa, Kenya included, is likely to face a second wave of locusts'
invasion. According to the experts, this time around, the menace could be 20
times its initial invasion.
Set to
invade from May, the invasion will be descendants of the first generation. It
is reported that the already laid eggs will have been hatched into nymphs and
hoppers.
"The
first generation of locust is now breeding; they've laid eggs. They will be
hatching into nymphs and hoppers," stated Food and Agriculture Association
(FAO) representative in Kenya, Mr. Tobias Takavarasha.
Scientists
have warned that the swarms might shoot to 400 times bigger by June, if not
done away with. Mr. Tobias stated that this was the right time to battle the
invasion before the next planting season.
Over 20
Kenyan Counties have already been invaded in the initial invasion. These
include Machakos, Makueni, Turkana, Wajir, Garissa, Meru, Mandera, Kitui,
Kajiado, Laikipia, Baringo, Isiolo, Murang'a, Samburu, and Embu.
FAO has
expressed concerns that rains experienced late last month, could encourage
breeding. Currently, new swarms are forming in Kenya, Ethiopia, and Somalia.
Kenya could be the worst-hit now that the Somalia swarms might enter into the
country any time soon. The report is according to East Africa's Desert Locust
Control Organization (DLCO-EA).
Already the
premature swarms in northern and central counties in Kenya are developing and
approaching the reproduction stage. This reproduction comes exactly at the same
time when long rains are expected, thus the planting season.
This poses
a great risk to food security, given the current COVID-19 crisis. East Africa's
DLCO director Mr. Njoka has pledged that they are working towards curbing any
further destruction.
Over 20
million population from Somalia, Ethiopia, and Kenya are staring at starvation
if the situation is not dealt with urgently. A sum of Sh16.2 billion is also
urgently required for rapid response in the already affected ten nations.