Kenya’s agriculture sector has reported that large swarms of desert locusts are spreading through the country after wreaking havoc in neighbouring countries Somalia and Ethiopia.
The locusts poses a significant threat to food security in the horn of Africa.
Agriculture minister Mwangi Kiunjuri said that the locust swarms had formed in eastern Ethiopia and northern Somalia and had moved through the region, possibly also threatening South Sudan and Uganda.
"We recognise that the invasion has the potential to spread rapidly to other counties. It poses an unprecedented threat to food security and livelihoods in the region.”
The minister said that desperate measures had seen police deployed to fire into the air and spray teargas in the hope of getting rid of the insects.