The government has increased its efforts to prevent future desert locust invasions by establishing an early warning center to serve local farmers.

Mithika Linturi, Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture and Livestock Development, stated that the center will assist the government in detecting early signs of an invasion and putting preventative measures in place.

This, he claims, will protect farmers from the migratory pest that caused crop losses in over 24 counties in 2020.

The CS revealed that the facility was built with the assistance of the Food and Agriculture Organization (Fao).

"We gratefully acknowledge Fao's technical and financial assistance in combating the desert locust threat." Without the strategic support, the damage could have been devastating to the region's food systems," he said.

Mr Linturi urged Fao Director-General Qu Duoyng to provide Kenya with technical and financial assistance in hosting the International Desert Locust Conference in March.

He stated that the Kenyan government will work with Fao to improve resilience and sustainable agrifood systems in order to increase food security.

According to the CS, climate change is having an increasing impact on the lives of Kenyans and the environment, causing frequent extreme weather events such as longer-lasting droughts, irregular and unpredictable rainfall, flooding, and rising temperatures.

Mr Gachagua stated that President William Ruto's administration has prioritized efforts to combat the effects of climate change in disaster-affected arid and semi-arid counties.

"We must eradicate hunger by any means necessary," Mr Linturi said. "That is why we are seeking technological and innovation support from Fao in order to increase yields."

Dr. Duoyng welcomed Kenya's offers of cooperation in the agricultural sector. Separately, Mr Linturi met with World Food Programme (WFP) Deputy Executive Director Valerie Guarneri yesterday to discuss Kenya's food security situation.

He was accompanied by Ken Lusaka, Chairman of the Council of Governors' Agriculture Committee and Governor of Bungoma, and Ms Jackline Yongo, Kenya's ambassador to Italy.

Mr Linturi told Ms Guarneri that Kenya is committed to strengthening collaboration with WFP in order to combat natural disasters that have occurred in Kenya, "threaten[ing] food security, resilience building, and sustainable livelihoods."

Ms Guarneri reaffirmed the World Food Programme's support for Kenya's efforts to ensure food security.

"Water is essential for survival and food production." "As a result, we must increase water harvesting technologies, dig shallow wells, and sink boreholes to increase agricultural productivity," Ms Guarneri explained.