Women showing little berries they collected for consumption[Photo/standard.co.ke]
According to reports from National Drought Management Authority(NDMA), at least 2.6 million Kenyans are experiencing food shortage.The situation that might worsen because of expected low harvests, has been caused by the fall armyworm infestation as per the reports.Farmers have lost millions of shillings to pest control agencies who have been selling pesticides that have no effect on the deadly pest.According to a report by the Ministry of Agriculture, at least more than 250,000 hectares of farms in Nakuru (48,969), Nandi (7,000), Uasin Gishu (8,000), Trans Nzoia (10,000) and Bungoma (31,600) have been infested by fall armyworm.Nakuru County Agriculture executive Stanley Chepkwony says severe weather patterns have seriously disfavored food production, especially cereals.Chepkwony says farmers did not plant on time because of delayed rains and immediately after germination, maize crop met the wrath of fall armyworm.“Over 50 per cent of maize crop has been affected by fall armyworm, they were first reported at Rongai and later spread to all sub-counties,” says Chepkwony.