Army worms were first detected in Trans-Nzoia, Bungoma and Uasin Gishu Counties in March this year and have now spread to Nyeri County. [Photo/the-star.co.ke]
The government has set aside 300 million shillings to support a countrywide pest control program to forestall further spread of army worms.
Additionally a multi-institutional technical team of experts drawn from the public and private sector has been picked to formulate ways of mitigating effects of the destructive garden pest.
Army worms were first detected in Trans-Nzoia, Bungoma and Uasin Gishu Counties in March this year and have now spread to Nyeri County.
The ministry of agriculture acknowledges it is facing challenges controlling the spread of the destructive pests even as farmers decry losses.
Nevertheless the government is assuring farmers that it is pulling all stops to ensure the menace is contained.
Devolution Cabinet Secretary Mwangi Kiunjuri says 300 million has been set aside to support a countrywide control programme to prevent further spread of the pest.
Kiunjuri who made the announcement at the Meru ASK show urged county governments to strengthen monitoring and surveillance systems for early detection and action on emerging pests and diseases.
Farmers are being advised to be alert as the pests spreads fast and affect a wide range of crops including maize, rice, sorghum, millet and pasture.