Policing Pests on Plants: Securitisation of Desert Locust Management to Protect Human Security

Abstract

The gregarious desert locust is one of the most dangerous pests that require urgent and extreme interventions. The study, therefore, sought to analyse desert locust management practices that were securitised to protect human security in Kenya. The study employed a mixed methods approach using ex-post facto evaluation and cross-sectional survey designs. The target population included desert locust-affected persons. A multi-stage sampling approach using stratified and purposive sampling techniques was used to target a sample size of 900 respondents drawn from 30 counties affected by desert locusts. Structured questionnaires and focus group discussions (FGD) were used to collect quantitative and qualitative data. Quantitative data was analysed through descriptive and inferential statistics using frequencies, percentages and ordinal logistic regression. Qualitative data was analysed using thematic analysis and incorporated in the discussion. The results showed that there was the securitisation of chemical control, recovery programs, physical control, surveillance and indigenous technical knowledge and skills (ITKS), contributing 43%, 16%, 16%, 15% and 10%, respectively, in safeguarding human security against desert locust risks. From the findings, the study concludes that all the phases of managing desert locusts were securitised to protect human security. Since the securitisation of chemical control had the highest contribution in protecting human security against desert locust risks, the study recommends research on applying biological pesticides rather than synthetic insecticides.