Nairobi — The World Bank is set to lend Kenya more money, and this time, it is for fighting desert locusts that have invaded several counties and threatened food security to about three million people.
World Bank said it was extending the credit to respond to the threat posed by the locust outbreak and to strengthen Kenya's system for preparedness.
"Without immediate intervention, the locust attack could lead to a deterioration in food security towards the end of 2020 and possible rise in food prices," said World Bank Country Director for Kenya, Felipe Jaramillo.
According to the World Bank, the Kenya component of the Emergency Locust Response Project will provide immediate surveillance and locust management measures to halt the spread of the pests.
It will also enable technical support and assistance to the Ministry in enhancing their early warning and preparedness systems and to the counties in restoring livelihoods of the affected pastoralists and farmers," said World Bank Task Team Leader for Kenya, Vinay Kumar Vutukuru.
