A fresh wave of locusts has descended upon farms and grazing lands in Turkana South, creating a significant threat to the region's food security and the livelihoods of its inhabitants. The invasion, which was first reported earlier this week, has caused considerable alarm among local farmers and pastoralist communities. They are concerned that these destructive pests could completely devastate their crops and essential vegetation.

The locusts have been predominantly observed in several specific areas, including Lochwa-ang’ikamatak, Kanaodon, and Lokapel. In these locations, the insects are targeting vital plant life such as acacia trees, various fruit trees, and the invasive Prosopis juliflora, which is locally referred to as Mathenge. John Lungi, a local elder, expressed the community's deep concerns, stating, “This is a serious threat. If these locusts are not controlled, they will wipe out our crops and pastures. We are worried about food shortages and how this will affect our families and livestock.”

In an effort to address the escalating situation, the Turkana County Department of Agriculture initiated a rapid assessment mission last week. The primary objectives of this mission are to evaluate the full extent of the damage caused by the locusts and to accurately identify the specific locust species involved. The assessment process includes conducting transect drives to estimate the locust populations and to thoroughly assess their impact on both agricultural crops and the broader environment.

Leading the assessment team are County Director of Agriculture Aaron Nanok and County Crop Officer Gabriel Plata. They have confirmed the presence of locusts in open woodland areas. Their initial findings indicate population densities ranging from 30 to 70 hoppers per tree. The information gathered from this assessment will be crucial in formulating an effective response to control the locust invasion and mitigate its impact on the affected communities.