Laikipia County Government launches a biological agent to get rid of Opuntia stricta, an invasive pl

The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) in collaboration with the Laikipia County Government launched a biological agent to get rid of Opuntia stricta, an invasive plant species that threatens to destroy the biodiversity of the region.

Generally, Laikipia County is heavily dependent on livestock. The County also boasts of highly number of wildlife who depend on natural vegetation. The rapid spread of the non-native cactus Opuntia, subjects their lives under threats.

This weed has invaded the grazing land and when livestock and wildlife eat its fruits, the spines can cause infection and eventually death.

Chemical and mechanical control methods are expensive and impractical, with this understanding, NEMA and County Government of Laikipia come together to find a sustainable solution to the spread of the cactus. This was through the introduction of a sap-sucking insect that feeds solely on the cactus.

The cactus has affected public and private conservancies in the region among them Oljogi, which houses many iconic animals. The invasive cactus had displaced the native plant species and had prevented rehabilitation of degraded land.

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