Studies reveal that despite widespread destructions caused by most natural calamities such as hurricanes, earthquakes, plagues, floods, volcanic eruptions, storms, etc, there is always something good that booms afterward.
Such disasters not only make humanity prepared for them in future, but also allow renewal of infrastructure and change of lifestyle; hence growth and development in the society. How to interpret them for a positive outcome is the golden answer.
What good then, can come out of the desert locust invasion?
Since the 28th day of December 2019, a swarm of desert locusts has infested the greater part of the North-eastern Kenya. Actually, eight out of 47 counties has been affected. These are Mandera, Marsabit, Wajir, Isiolo, Garissa, Samburu, Meru and Laikipia. And the number keeps rising! These insects are invading the country due to unpredictable rains towards the end of last year. They find green foliage; hence accelerate their feeding and breeding.
With that, they are a double edged sword!
Their active and faster breeding is a serious peril not only to food security but also to the livelihood of both the livestock and wildlife. The climate and nature are punishing humanity; hence this calls for the quick elimination of these desert locusts.
The positive outcome of this invasion lies hidden in the process of its elimination!
The great desert locusts that are invading more than a quarter of our nation can be harvested and made a very nutritious delicacy both for human consumption and animal feeding. But, that’s not only the good of this invasion.
Look at the region of their invasion. It is a conflict-full zone that has not enjoyed relative peace for many decades.
Therefore, the manipulation of this natural invasion of locusts should help us drive peace initiatives in these war torn zones.
How then, can the desert locust invasion change the peace building narrative?
Since peace building initiatives should involve the entire communities around the conflict-full zones, the new narrative is a community-based conflict resolution in fighting a common natural enemy.
If the communities in this region have in the past gone for wars over livestock, pasture, water, etc., this time round nature has provided a means for peace building initiative. Now, than before, they must gung up and eliminate a common enemy, the hazardous locusts.
In this struggle, the communities speak one language and do one activity, lest the locust ruin their livelihood.
Not long ago, we witnessed people whistling, clapping, shooting in the air to scare the locusts away and reporting to the right authority (Kiunjuri, former Agriculture Cabinet Secretary, telling Kenyans to take photos and publish them in the social media, etc) for aerial spray.
For once, the north-easterners forgot their differences; their selfishness; their individualism, which sometimes fuel tribal conflicts. Gabras, Boranas, Somalis, Rendilles, Gallas, Dashenas, El-molos, Samburus, Turkanas came together for a common goal!
Consequently, the desert locust invasion has presented a grand opportunity to experience the most beautiful aspect of our human life; the social connection and love.
Since human beings are fundamentally social beings, anything threatening their social fabric is to be collectively fought at all cost. Social togetherness or connection is very important during periods of social stress.
The desert locusts cause stress in the society. Hence, their eradication is a community-based conflict resolution and peace building initiative.
Let’s inform the north-easterners that the fortune of the period of crisis is understood on how the victims grow afterwards, (Joel 2, 18- 4, 21).
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