A three-year-old girl tragically lost her life after accidentally consuming a burnt snake in a heartbreaking incident that has left the community of Kavuvwani Village in Mwingi Central, Kitui County, in deep sorrow.
This incident, which occurred on a Saturday, has raised significant concerns about safety practices in handling potentially dangerous animals and highlighted the risks posed by climate change in the region.
The young girl was innocently playing in her home compound when she encountered the remains of a snake that had been burnt. Mistaking it for edible meat, she consumed it, which led to her untimely death.
It was later discovered that her grandmother had killed the snake after it trespassed into their compound.
Following a local custom meant to ensure safety, she burnt the snake to eliminate the threat. Unfortunately, she did not properly dispose of the charred remains, leaving them accessible to the children playing nearby.
The grandmother’s intention was to protect her family from the snake, but the oversight of leaving the remains in an exposed area had tragic consequences.
This incident has sparked a wave of grief and concern within the community, with many questioning the safety practices in place and the need for more rigorous disposal methods for dangerous animals.
Residents of Kitui County are no strangers to the dangers posed by snakes. The region is one of the most affected areas in Kenya concerning snake-related incidents.
Climate change has exacerbated the situation, forcing snakes to leave their natural habitats in search of food and water in human settlements.
Government reports indicate that Kitui County records approximately 1,000 snake bites annually, which is a significant portion of the national average of 20,000 snake bites.
Community members are calling for more stringent measures to ensure that once a snake is killed, its remains are completely destroyed or buried deeply enough to eliminate any risk.
One concerned resident emphasized that even the bones of a snake can be hazardous if left exposed, suggesting that burning snakes should be followed by digging a deep hole to bury the ashes.
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