A serious Napier grass disease, Napier Grass Stunt, which is spreading quickly in Western Kenya (and parts of Uganda) is causing serious economic loss in the smallholder dairy industry. This is reported in a recent paper by Dr Apollo Orodho [formerly KARI, Kakamega, Kenya]. All Napier grass varieties grown in the area appear to be susceptible to the disease which usually becomes visible in re-growth after cutting or grazing. Affected shoots become pale yellow green in colour and seriously dwarfed. Often the whole stool is affected with complete loss in yield and eventual death. Many smallholders have lost up to 100 percent of their Napier crop and are forced to de-stock or sell off their entire herd because of lack of feed. Tests have confirmed that the disease is caused by a mycoplasma, but urgent action is needed to identify the exact cause and to find solutions, otherwise it will have a devastating impact on the smallholder dairy industry in Eastern Africa. Almost certainly a long and sustained programme of research and extension is needed to combat Napier Grass Stunt. A series of "Going Public" events were held in western Kenya in July 2005 in an attempt to gain more information about this devastating disease and to learn more about peopls's reaction to it; the report of the team from KARI (Kakamega and Kitale) and the Global Plant Clinic is attached [PDF file/ Material used with permission of Prof. Phil Jones, Global Plant Clinic]