Locust Invasion Situation - Kenya

2 years ago by Onyari Nyakundi. PhD

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 

This report presents the contemporary situation of locust invasion in Kenya. It highlights the impacts the invasion has posted on the food situation in Kenya, agricultural dimensions as well as its financial implications on the national Gross Domestic Product. It focuses on the interventions done by the local and governmental organizations in addressing this plaque. In particular the report provides insight on witnessed crop shortfall, the quantification of the destruction realized and the measures and compensations if any put in place to address this situation. 

INTRODUCTION 

Kenya is currently grappling with a huge wave of desert locust invasion. The locust swarms, which crossed into the country from Ethiopia and Somalia in late December 2019 has significantly spilled over into more countries in the East Africa region. The infestation has significantly devastated the agricultural output of the Kenyan agricultural farmers as well as impacted the pastoralists who depend on the grasses for their animals. The millions of locusts that have infested the Kenyan soil have been devouring everything on their path. Most farmers have lamented of the ravenous insects eating their young health crops while the rangelands are completely stripped off bare before the herders’ eyes. The infestation has destroyed thousands of acres of crops impacting the country’s food insecurity. It is also worth noting that in Kenya, the locusts have already invaded almost three quarters of the forty-seven counties in Kenya with counties such as Tharaka Nithi, Turkana, Maasai, Garisssa, Kisumu, Kakamega, Nyeri, West Pokot, Kajiado, Wajir among others being serious affected by the locust infestations. 

According to Food and Agriculture Organization, desert locust is the most migratory pests which pose the greatest risks to croplands. They are capable of destroying over 20,000 kilograms of vegetation in a single day. In the late of January, large swarms of locusts which could cover 2400 square kilometers were witnessed in Kenya. The swarms could consume 1.8 million metric tons of vegetation daily. This is equivalent to the amount of food a population of 81 million people could consume. 

According to the preliminary estimate reports taken by 21st May, the swarms had flattened about 175 000 hectares of crops and pastureland thus upsetting the livelihood of about 

164 000 households. Moreover, according to Peter Munya, the former Kenyan Government Agriculture Cabinet Secretary, the invasion has so far devastated over 27 counties. However, only invasions in about four counties have been contained. These include Marsabit, Samburu, Turkana and Isiolo. Since a second wave of invasion is predicted to hit back, the invasion is expected to cause significant poverty and extreme hunger to Kenyan citizens who heavily depend on agricultural produce. In Samburu for example, over twenty thousand households have been directly affected by the ravaging swarm of locust after the swarm invaded their vegetation hence exposing them to the dangers of famine and abject poverty. According to, a local from Tana River, he notes that the locusts have completely destroyed his millet plantation leaving him and his family at risk of suffering from hunger and poverty. 

According to Relief Web findings, the locust invasion has had devastating effects on food security and markets. For instance, according to preliminary literature, in counties such as Turkana, Wajir, Marsabit, and Tana River, there has been a decreased market availability of stable foods as a result of the locust invasions. This has led to a slight increase in the price of stable foods which has resulted in some cases of malnutrition being reported. In a similar vein, with the locusts feeding on the vegetation, the vegetation cover has significantly reduced further impacting on the lives of the pastoralists who largely depend on the livestock for their survival. Riziki, a resident of Wajir, notes that since the locust invasion, he has to move for longer distances in search for pasture for his large herd of cattle. The pastoralist notes that the locusts have eaten most of the green vegetations. 

The desert locust invasion has attracted a multi-agency intervention. This response is being coordinated by the Ministry of Agriculture. Key agencies include the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), World Bank, the Desert Locust Control Organization and other developmental partners and Non-Governmental Organizations. Kenya has prioritized a multi- phased approached that is geared towards managing the multispectral aspects of this crisis. These pillars include surveillance and control, food security and livelihood restoration and early warning and preparedness. In regard to this approach, the government has deployed both ground and aerial machinery as control measures for both the flying swarms and the hatchlings. The government has sought the efficiencies of vehicles mounted with sprayers and hand held sprayers; together with aircraft and personal training in controlling swarm of locust ravaging the crops. 

FAO is supporting Kenya in desert locust control in diverse capacities. It brings a technical experience that augment the government efforts to address the current crisis. FAO has been engaged in the hiring of choppers, spray aircrafts, purchasing of vehicles as well as vehicle mounted sprayers. Consequently, FAO has also been active in the procurement of pesticides and personal protective equipment that are utilized in the management of the locusts. The United Nations Agency has also supported the training of youths from the National Youth Service Unit that have been crucial in conducting the on-the ground spraying as well as in the capacity building in the national and county governments. 

The World Bank is the main funding and technical support partner for Kenya. So far the World Bank has donated an initial emergency package of about $13.7 Million meant towards restoring livelihoods. Moreover, it has further approved $43 million International Development Assistance (IDA) for support to the Ministry of Agriculture for continued surveillance and control measures. This notwithstanding, the World Bank Group has also approved the $500 Million program for emergency financing, that is being complemented by policy advise and technical support in aid of countries that have been affected by the locust. 

Another important stakeholder in the fight against desert locust invasion is the Kenya Red Cross. Kenya Red Cross has been in the forefront in conducting impact assessment studies using drones and satellite images to determine the extent of damage in crops, pastures, environment and the natural resources. It has also provided social support and helped communities navigate challenges posed by the locust invasion. According to the Red Cross Secretary General, Red Cross Kenya have provided direct food and non-food support to the affected families. 

Moreover, technology has also been a very significant tool that has been used in the fight against the Desert Locust Invasion in Kenya. The eLocust3 App has effectively been used by the field officers to record data and upload pictures in real time whenever they spot the locusts. This information are then fed into a central online repository from where daily updates are shared with the Ministry officials and the Control Base Officers. These data have been crucial in pinpointing locust location coordinates, tracking their movements as well as enabling targeted spraying. 

Another Organization is the Self Help Africa. It has been responding to this crisis in both Kenya and Ethiopia. According to Steve Langdon, The SHA humanitarian coordinator, Self Help Africa have been working with the affected communities by offering grassroots support to families in tackling the locust invasion. The NGO has combined both early identification and spraying strategies towards addressing the impact of the invasion. 

From these diverse developments, the efforts employed have been significant in building the capacity of the affected communities as well as strengthening their Desert locust Information Management and Communication systems. Similarly, the government of Kenya and other stakeholders such as the Food and Agriculture organization has also held programs aimed at locust sensitization and trainings aimed at aiding in the war against locust invasion. 

The local population has however opted to very desperate measures in the fight against the locusts. In some regions such as Wajir and Mandera, the locals have resorted to shouting, striking metallic objects, whistling and even hooking of vehicles in order to chase away the locusts from their territories. According to Ali, a resident of Wajir, he believes that the state actors have failed to provide scientific and proactive measures to deal with the locust invasion prompting them to pursue very desperate approaches. In his view, shouting and striking of metallic objects have the potential to scare away the locusts to other regions. Similarly, some locals have opted for religious or spiritual approaches in the war against the locust. According to Abdi from Garissa, he says he recites the Koran on a daily basis with the belief that through spiritual intervention, the locust menace can be managed. 

The law enforcement agencies on the other hand as evidenced in some areas within Garissa and Wajir have at some time opted to shout on the air as a measure to scare away the locusts. Mr. Gure, a county agricultural official notes that police at some time used rubber bullets to scare away the locusts. According to Fatuma, a resident of Tharaka Nithi, the locals have opted for unusual methods to fight the locust invasion because in their view, the government has remained mum on the invasion that is a threat to their livelihoods. 

While the government had earlier hinted on compensating the locals affected by the Locust invasion, no compensation has been received by those affected. According to the former Cabinet secretary for Agriculture, Peter Munya. The compensation will be part of the resources they are supported with and the part of the budget that is available. The support is to be availed in terms of seeds for future cultivation and money for families that are affected by the disaster. Similar compensation strategies have been hinted by the World Vision Kenya. According to Maina Kingori, the Disaster Management associate Director for World Vison in Kenya. The organization will procure and distribute seeds to replenish the destroyed food crops and regenerate destroyed pastures. Moreover, they will also enhance short term food availability for animals. This will be significant in minimizing the displacement of farmers as they look for fodder. 

The locals have frequently requested for compensations from the government. According to Ndubi, a resident from Kakamega, the locust invaded his two hectares piece of maize plantation and completely destroyed the crops leaving him more vulnerable to poverty and food insecurity. Ndubi suggest that the only way that the government can better their lives is by compensating those affected by the locust invasion. It is also worth noting that county governments through their disaster management departments have hinted at compensating locals who are severely affected by the locust invasion. However, the compensation programs have not so far been implemented hence worsening the lives of those affected by locusts. 

Kenya is a major exporter of agricultural products. It is the largest exporter of black tea and the second largest exporter of fruits and vegetables. Its agricultural sector contributes to about 26% into the Gross Domestic product (GDP). Factually, agriculture is considered the back bone of Kenyan economy. Thus, elevating locust invasion possess a great fiscal risk to the economy. The negative impact the locust invasion has had on the agricultural output possess a higher inflation that could slow down economic growth. 

According to World Bank Financial Report, the Kenya’s Growth Domestic Product is likely to decelerate to 3.5 percent due to the pressure on agricultural export, locust invasion and the Covid-19 pandemic. Moreover, the locust invasion has also significantly influenced the rising budget, high risk debt distress as well as worsening balance of trade deficit caused by low demand for country’s exports. Due to the plaque, the Kenya’s budget deficit has been on a widening streak. 

The World Bank has approved $43 Million, part of the $4.59 billion loan for Kenya meant for the regional emergency locust response project. This notwithstanding, the World Bank had soon approved the $106 Billion loan for Kenya geared towards closing the Kenya’s fiscal financing gap that had been generated by the severe, ongoing shocks on the economy. Moreover, with the increased destruction of agricultural products by the locust, there is a likelihood of decline in exportation of these products such as black tea and vegetables and this is likely to result in a depreciation of the Kenyan shillings which can further complicate the repayment of foreign debts that Kenya owes to other nations and financial institutions such as the World Bank International Monetary Fund and other countries such as China. 

In conclusion, it is worth noting that the locust catastrophe threatens food security and stability in Kenya. As a result, the government should pursue strategic approaches to manage the situation. For instance, there is need for the government to increase monitoring and surveillance of the locusts, enhance its human capacity in as far as locust management is concerned as well as coordinate with other stakeholders to fight the menace. Importantly, there is need for the government to compensate those who are severely affected by the natural calamity. 

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