Dear Hon.Peter Munya,
RE: Environmental assessment of locust control strategies in Nakuru County.
Following chemical control operations against locust infestation in Kenya in March 2021, Greenpeace Africa (GPAF) carried out an environmental sampling and analysis between March and April 2021 to identify the pesticides used in spraying the locusts.
Deltamethrin was identified as the pesticide that was used for locust control in Rongai area, in Nakuru county as evidenced by results of laboratory analysis of soil, dead locust and grass samples.
This open letter, therefore, follows the physical letter sent to your office on the 06th of June 2021 to bring to your attention the concerns associated with the use of Deltamethrin in locust control. The major concern relates to its potential to damage the nervous system of human beings as well as it being highly poisonous to bees and fish.
Greenpeace Africa is demanding the following from the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Co-operatives:
1. Consider phasing out of Deltamethrin in favour of biological alternatives in locust control, based on its toxicity in the wider environment and particularly to non-target organisms.
2. During the phase-out period, should the use of Deltamethrin be considered unavoidable, measures such as the covering of beehives and critical water points should be taken to mitigate the effects on bees and fish.
3. Shift to locally available biopesticides such as Neem oil (Mwarubaini).
4. Register and enforce the use of fungal-based biocontrol products such as “Green Muscle” and “Novacrid” that contain the biological agent Metarhizium anisopliae and Metarhizium acridum respectively.
5. Carry out comprehensive environmental assessments to establish the impacts of the recent locust control strategies on soil and water quality, biodiversity and human health. Further, make the findings of the environmental assessments public.
We believe that these demands are urgent, and are in the interests of protecting the health and food safety of Kenyans. We call on you to respond to us directly, and to act in the best interests of Kenyans.
Yours Sincerely,
Greenpeace Africa, Route to Food Initiative, Biodiversity and Biosafety Association of Kenya,and Biovision Africa Trust.
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