Farmers resort to candle lighting at night as rats cause havoc in Mwea rice paddies

Farmers led by John Munene and Pius Njogu from the Thiba section say the rats may affect production in the rice scheme.

The rice farmers are now fighting rats with local methods like lighting candles in the rice paddies at night to scare away the invasive rodents. 

They are calling on government intervention to find a solution to the menace that threatens their livelihood. 

According to John Munene, rice farmers are bracing themselves for poor harvest after an earlier invasion by snails and right now they are fighting rats.

“It is the second year since rats invaded the scheme and over five years since snails invaded Mwea scheme. Who will now help Mwea farmers?” Munene asked.

Pius Njogu said the rats are reproducing fast and are causing sleepless nights to the rice farmers.

“It is very cold and we are spending all our energies to fight rats. Who will help us?” Njogu paused.