Today's Headlines
- One Million Call for Probe of Polls Violence
- Nation Has No Choice But Heed World's Call
- We Must Fight Impunity
- International Prosecutor Asks Govt for Plan on Polls Violence
- Gloom Over Country's Economic Growth
- Abducted Boy Found Unhurt
- Region 'Inactive' on Flu Threat, Says UN
- A Role for Men in Gender Equality
- Good Governance Drive Makes Progress
- Court Upholds Freeze of Kabuga's Assets
- U.S. Wants to Spotlight 'Successful Models' And Be An 'Effective Partner' - Obama
- Return My Son, Father Pleads
- Police Gun Down Eight Gangsters
- Secret Weapon in Push for Law On Local Tribunal
- Maathai Faults Crops in Forests Plan
- AP Chief Shrugs Off Rift Claims in Police Force
- Doctors Agree On Surgery for Muthaura
- Confusion Over Health Status of UK Students
- Kenyan Ministers to Retain Chase Cars, Says Mutua
- Teachers Paying Sh120,000 for Fake Jobs
- AfDB Set to Start Funding Country's Gibe Dam
- Energy Producers Could Switch to Equipment Rentals
- Deficit to Place Pressure On Interest Rates
- Firms to Be Judged On How They Weathered Crisis
- Consumer Protection to Top ICT Body's Agenda
- Tourism Players Upbeat Despite Flu
- EAC Countries Should Crack Down On Corruption
- Telecoms Shift Focus to Internet As Demand Grows
- Namakula Unfazed By Alien Conditions in Kenya
- Kamanda Poll Petition 'Still in No Man's Land'
BuaNews (Tshwane)
December 13, 2007
News Article
The locust infestation remains serious in northeast Kenya and southeast Ethiopia, says the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).
"There have been new reports of infestations further west in both countries," FAO's Desert Locust Bulletin stated on its situation update report.
Swarms of locust, originating from Somalia, began to infest Kenya's northeastern district of Mandera and some areas in the Somali region of eastern Ethiopia at the end of November but have since moved to other parts of the two countries.
"In Kenya, at least one mature swarm crossed the Ethiopian border into Moyale district, west of Madera, where it was seen near Goda on 30 November.
"In Southeast Ethiopia, locust adults have been seen flying in the Borena zone of Oromia region, which is west of Ogaden and north of Kenya," the bulletin explained.
Lema Gebeyehu, head of the Crop Protection Division in the Ethiopian Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, confirmed that locusts covered 375 hectares of land in Yabello and Teltale of Borena zone.
"Large numbers of adult locusts were reported in the districts of Moyale, Dire, Arero and Yabelo," the bulletin added.
According to experts, an average swarm consists of 40 million locusts and a single locust can eat two grammes at a day.
"The locusts will not affect the crop in the area due to the dry season," Mr Lema said, however, they will damage the pasture availability in the area.
The Desert Locust Control Organisation for Eastern Africa (DLCO) has already begun a verification assessment in the two areas.
"After finalising the verification we will begin aerial control operations," said Abdurhaman Abdulahi, a senior research officer at DLCO.
He believed the locusts originally came from Somalia but "due to the current situation in Somalia, it is not possible to conduct a control operation there".
Mr Abdurhaman said the adult locusts migrated from Somalia, laid their eggs in Kenya and hatched the hoppers in five places in Mandera.
He added that such a locust infestation "had not been seen for the last 40 years".
DCLO categorises locust infestations as calm, upsurge and plague. This one had reached the "upsurge stage".
