In dry spell, deadly snakes suck the life out of Kerio residents

*Jackline Korir and Stephen Cheruiyot display a dead cobra that had strayed into a homestead at Rokocho in Elgeyo Marakwet County, yesterday.* [PHOTO: KEVIN TUNOI/STANDARD]

In the scenic Kerio Valley lies deadly snakes drawn out of their hiding places by the dry spell.

As if dealing with water shortage is not enough, the residents now live in fear of the serpents that have made life a living hell for them. Due to the prevailing hot conditions, the venomous snakes sneak into homes in search of water.

In an attempt to keep the snakes off their homes, residents have adopted desperate measures to co-exist with them. At night, they are forced to leave tins of water outside their homes so that the serpents can hopefully quench their thirst and be on their way.

Rael Tumo, 55, is lucky to have survived a deadly attack from a spitting cobra at her home in Waon village, Kabokbok.

"It was around six in the evening and I was preparing supper for my family. When I went to get water from a pot, some fluid splashed on my face," she says. "I felt a sharp pain on my face and eyes and suddenly could not see before I collapsed. I later found myself on a hospital bed."

A serpent had invaded her home in search of water and only her screams saved her as neighbours rushed to her aid. She was blind for a week with a swollen face.

Ms Tumo is now at home recuperating but her ears still bear the wounds that serve as a constant reminder of the vicious attack.

Unfortunately, Musa arap Tekenye from the nearby Morop village was not as lucky. After a black mamba attacked him one night at his home, he never lived to tell the story.

Mr Tekenye was sleeping in his hut, unaware the snake had already slithered its way into his warm bed. He was bitten and died while being taken to hospital.

In Rokocho location, Rose Koima, a widow, remembers how her husband Daniel was killed by a snake while constructing a granary at their home.

"My husband was bitten on the heel and could not make it to Iten Referral Hospital on time to save his life. We now live from hand to mouth since he was the only breadwinner," says the mother of three.

At least two cases of snake attack are reported in the region weekly.

The snakes found in the area include, black and green mamba, puff adder and several species of cobra. Pythons are also found in the area but have not been reported to attack humans.

The situation is so bad that as The Standard team was interviewing Ms Koima, screams of help rendered the air. A red spitting cobra had invaded her neighbour's home in search of water. Residents rushed to the home to find the serpent had taken cover under some rocks.

Jacklyn Korir narrates how three snakes were found at her home this past week. Luckily, nobody was hurt because she managed to kill them. "At night we leave tins of water outside to prevent the snakes from entering our houses," she says.

Residents are now calling for stocking of anti-venom vaccines in all health facilities in the area to avert further loss of lives.

County's Kenya Wildlife Service warden Dominic Kilonzo says they have over 110 cases of snake attacks awaiting compensation, with 90 per cent of wildlife attacks in the area being from snakes. Kerio Valley and the Elgeyo escarpment are the most affected. "Sadly we lost eight people to snake bites last year. Hundreds were maimed by the poison," says the warden advising residents to leave water outside their homes and clear their compounds and surrounding bushes.

Elgeyo Marakwet health executive officer Thomas Ruto says the entire Kerio Valley is notorious for snake bites and they are supplying anti-venom to the health facilities there.

"We are asking health personnel to report whenever the vaccines are over at their facilities for replenishing," says Mr Ruto.

Woman Representative Susan Chebet says she has supplied eight refrigerators to health institutions in Kerio Valley to preserve the anti-venom.