Farmers in the Mwea Irrigation Scheme, Kirinyaga County, are counting heavy losses following a large-scale invasion of quelea birds that have ravaged vast rice plantations, threatening one of Kenya’s main grain baskets.
The distressed farmers say they are forced to hire labourers daily at a cost of Ksh500 per person to chase the birds from their farms, a practice that is draining their already thin profits.
“I’m forced to hire four people per day at Ksh500 each to guard one acre. This cost is unbearable and will reduce my production significantly,” lamented John Mwaniki, a farmer from the Thiba section.
According to locals, the birds began attacking the maturing rice in September and have since spread across Nguka, Wamumu, Karaba, Tebere, Thiba, Cumbiri, and Ndekia areas. They feed during the day and roost in the same farms at night, worsening the damage.
Farmers accused the Ministry of Agriculture and the Kirinyaga County government of neglect, saying no aerial spraying has been conducted as was done in previous seasons.
“It’s frustrating that the authorities have abandoned us. Two seasons ago, the government used planes to spray the birds, but this time we’ve been left to suffer,” said farmer John Munene.
Others like Jane Wangeci said traditional methods such as scarecrows, drumming, and camping in the fields from morning to evening have failed to protect their crops.
“We are camping in the fields all day, but the birds have become too many and fearless,” she said.
The farmers are now urging elected leaders and agricultural agencies to urgently intervene before the infestation leads to total crop failure, warning that the country’s food security could be affected if the crisis persists.
