Baringo County is known for a number of venomous snakes including black mamba, puff adder, and carpet vipers, which has led to a deadly menace haunting both the residents and livestock.
The semi-arid environments in parts of Tiaty and in the North and South Baringo make them snake-prone areas.
Out of every 10 rocks, one will find a carpet viper camouflaged under it. The rampant attacks come in the wake of a dry spell that has hit the county so hard pushing snakes closer to homesteads in order to acquire food and water.
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Snakebites in the county are quite common and the residents have a challenge in accessing medical facilities, as getting to the hospital is an uphill task due to high poverty levels and tedious rugged terrains.
According to District Health Information Systems(DHIS 2) statistics, over 250 cases have been reported in the County since the beginning of this year. This number is quite alarming since a rise in cases has been evident compared with the previous years. This trend calls for immediate action so as to save lives,” Dr. Winnie Bore noted.
Bore, who works with an NGO, Snabirc Kenya, said that the main aim of their organization is to eradicate the deadly menace which has for long caused havoc in the livelihoods of many people in the county.
She hinted that snake bite cases have been on the rise because human beings have encroached on natural wildlife thereby creating human-wildlife conflicts, a thing she said needed to be addressed.
Dr. Lourien Kakuko, a medical officer at the Baringo County Referral Hospital (BCRH), via a phone call to K24 Digital, called upon locals to seek medical treatment fast after snake bites to avoid serious cases like deaths, amputation, and lifetime paralysis.
Dr. Kokwon added that in worst-case scenarios, amputation may be done to avoid further damage to the injured part, adding that when someone fails to get to the facility in time, they end up developing other health complications, and in some cases death.
"Anti-venom is readily available in our facility. Don't take chances of risking your life. Delay in health care is a major cause of death. Immediately after a snake bite, rush to the nearest health facility to be attended to,” Kokwon urges the county residents.
He added: “Snake bites should always be taken seriously, though some could be dry bites which are less dangerous and will likely cause some swelling, others are venomous bites which if not treated carefully and quickly can result in death, always seek medical attention if bitten by a snake as it could be a matter of life and death."
Danger of snake bites
Snake bites, if not attended to immediately, he noted, may cause deaths or permanent physical disabilities that is why we urge victims to seek medication as soon as possible.
Willy Limo, a curator who is stationed at Lake Baringo Snake Park, urged the county government to train more snake handlers in the community so that it gets easier to arrest snakes when spotted.
He hinted that the level of awareness is very low as a number of locals do not know what to do exactly when bitten by a snake, therefore, calling upon the National and County government to sensitize residents on first aid which he said would go a long way in saving lives.
He noted that the first step after a snake bite is to minimize motion and stay calm, with less movement, something that is almost impossible as poor infrastructure in parts of Tiaty means the only way to get to a health facility is by a motorbike through the bumpy road.
Limo noted with concern that most of the families have not cleared the bushes surrounding their homestead saying that most snakes hide in them.
He also emphasized the need for cleanliness in order to avert the risks connected to snake bites saying that a dirty environment were a breeding ground for rodents that snakes feed on.
“Be careful while fetching firewood because most of the snakes are either on trees or under rocks. Those who go out at night ensure that you have a spotlight to avoid bumping on them," Limo said.
Samuel Krop, a 19-year-old from Silale ward in Tiaty Sub-county is one of the survivors following a venomous snake bite five years ago.
He, however, has not received any medication due to the high poverty levels.
“Krop an orphan whom I took in after his parents died, was rattled by a snake while herding in the fields on his right leg which has since then caused paralysis on the leg. He rarely walks and is slowly going blind on his one eye,” narrated his neighbour Daniel Lakitari.
