Farmers in Lugari and Likuyani sub counties are in panic after spotting desert locusts flying in the area. The swarms of the destructive insects were sighted flying from Trans Nzoia County and through Sinoko, Nzoia and Sango wards in Likuyani with few of them landing in those areas.
In Lugari sub county the swarms were spotted in Mautuma ward heading towards Naitiri in Tongaren sub county across the neighbouring Bungoma county. However, countable number of insects have been spotted after landing in several parts of Lwandeti, Chekalini, Lumakanda and Mautuma wards.
Speaking to West Media, farmers who have started preparing their farms for the planting season, have expressed fears about the fate of their crops in case the swarms land in the area.
Led by Mr. Jackson Makunda Chilande and Patrick Amboko Shisundi the farmers called for concerted support from both the County government of Kakamega and the national government to combat the insects, which they said threaten food security in the region.
“Lugari and Likuyani are among the grain baskets of the country and we are therefore appealing to both the County and the national governments to move fast and eradicate the few destructive insects that have landed in this area since some of us have already started planting and we fear our efforts may go in waste if no action is taken to control them,” said Makunda.
