Rice farmers in the Mwea Irrigation Scheme, Kirinyaga County, have been cautioned against using unapproved and potentially harmful chemicals to control apple snails, a pest that continues to threaten rice production in the region.
The golden apple snail has become one of the most destructive pests in the area, and despite ongoing efforts by the government to develop a long-term solution, the problem has persisted. The pest, first identified in the Tebere section in 2018, has since spread to other areas including Wamumu, Karaba, Thiba, Nguka, and Ndekia.
Kirinyaga County Assembly Deputy Speaker and Mutithi Ward MCA, Jinaro Njamumo, urged farmers to refrain from purchasing and using illegal pesticides smuggled into the country by unscrupulous brokers. He warned that such chemicals pose serious risks to human health, pollute the environment, and contaminate both domestic water sources and irrigation canals.
“While the threat posed by the snails is real and urgent, we must not endanger our lives and environment with toxic substances. The government should fast track research to find a sustainable and effective method of eradicating these pests,” said Njamumo.
Joseph Kamau, rice farmer, expressed concern over the ongoing invasion, noting that all efforts to control the pest—including chemical spraying and manual removal—have largely failed.
“We’ve tried everything, from using chemicals to hand-picking the snails, but nothing seems to work. It’s been an uphill battle since 2018,” Kamau said.
The farmers are now calling on the government and agricultural experts to intervene with a scientifically proven, safe, and sustainable pest controlling strategy. The other common pest in the region are rats and Quelea birds.
By Mutai Kipngetich
