Armyworms destroying Kenyan crops

NAIROBI, Kenya, May 16 (UPI) -- An infestation of armyworms has destroyed a significant portion of food crops in Kenya's Eastern Province, Red Cross officials say.

The Kenya Red Cross Society said 70 percent of the crops in the province's Upper Eastern region and Tharaka Division have been destroyed by the worms, that have been designated a threat to food security, The Nation said Friday.

The worms, which infested pastures in the area as well, have also been found in various other districts throughout the province.

While the worms appear to have inflicted significant losses to Kenya's food supply, Eastern provincial crops officer Hesbon Olweny downplayed their impact this week.

"The situation is under control and we don't expect any major losses," Olweny said.

The crops official told The Nation that farmers throughout the area have been given specific insecticides that should control the spread of the worms.