Shock in Baringo after huge python emerges in house of dead snake handler hours after burial

By , K24 Digital
On Sat, 10 Jul, 2021 21:17 | < 1 min read
A snake handler extracts venom to produce anti-venom, the most potent cure for bites. Photo/PD/FILE

Shock has gripped residents of Kampi Samaki in Baringo County after a huge snake was discovered inside the house of a dead snake handler.

The incident which has sent villagers talking happened barely 48 hours after Ewei Nakorot, the famous Baringo snake handler was laid to rest at his home in the outskirts of Lake Baringo.

After his burial on Thursday, a huge python was found inside his house in what locals describe as mourning of the famous snake handler who spent most of his life handling the venomous reptiles in different parts of the country before starting a snake park at the shores of Lake Baringo.

Locals further say that the appearance of the huge python in his house might be a sign that the old man was a good friend of the snakes since he used to take good care of them.

Born in 1935 in Turkana, Ewei alias Dr.William, started working with Jonathan Leaky as snake tracker by capturing snakes, milking them for venom and showcasing them to tourists who frequent lake Baringo.

Interestingly, Ewei picked up a career in snake tracking after he was bitten by a snake.

Instead of developing fear after the snake bite experience Ewei became a professional venom harvester who saved lives of those bitten by snakes until his death last week.

According to locals, Ewei championed for the care of snakes in the community because he saw the reptiles as a source of revenue.

Ewei's family is synonymous with snakes since his wife treats victims of snakebites while two of his sons have taken up from him as professional snake handlers.