The Ministry of Agriculture has requested for an additional of Ksh320 million emergency funding to combat crop-eating caterpillars.
The follows the fall armyworms that are ravaging maize fields, further threatening food security.
The ministry had been allocated Ksh100 million to tackle the fall armyworm following reports that it had invaded farms from neighbouring Uganda.
“We have requested the Treasury to allocate us an additional Sh320 million because the fall armyworm invasion is bigger than initially thought,” said Clement Muyesu, the assistant director of Agriculture.
The funds will help smallholder farmers access identified pesticides amid concerns on lack money or expertise to use insecticides effectively.
The worms, which breed fast and can migrate 100 kilometres a day, were first reported in Kenya in mid-January.
Among counties that have been invaded include Trans Nzoia, Uasin Gishu, Kwale, Taita Taveta, Nakuru, Busia and Bungoma, with the pests mainly attacking maize crops.