Farmers in Machakos country are now living with fear after a swarm of the locusts were spotted in the county.
As reported by the daily nation, the locusts that first invaded northeastern region are now in Masinga, Machakos county.
They were first sported at Kivaa ward, spreading fear among the farmers over their crops that are still in farm and also about their harvesting this season
According to Justus Kiteng'u, Kivaa Ward representative, the swarm crossed over from embu county. He further stated that he has notify the county government about the incident and has ask them to visit the site and give residents hope over their crops.
Agriculture County Executive Urbanus Musyoka also said that the county government together with the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Services visited the affected site today and they have asked the farmers not to panic as the locusts will be put under control.
“We had our team visit Masinga area where the locusts were sighted last evening. At around 11 am Tuesday, spraying had started and we expect to give a full report by the end of the day,” he said.
The devolved unit has been on high alert in the county after the ministry of agriculture last week set up a team of surveillance dispatching three vehicles in Kitui border for surveillance and monitoring locust movement in Masinga and Yatta respectively.
Locals, including environmentalist Dr John Musingi and University of Nairobi's Dr Jonathan Nzuma, has cautioned the county govenment for spraying the insects saying that the insecticides used should be environmentally safe for the residents in the area
"Let us have our experts investigate the effect of those insecticides on humans, environment and wildlife. The government is currently using fenitrothion/malathion for control," said Dr Nzuma.
He has however asked the government to use nets to trap the insects at night.