Snake infest a village in Kakamega, Kenya

By By John Harry Ndeta
MALAVA, Kenya, FEBRUARY 14-Wild and ferocious snakes have infested a village in Malava, North of Kakamega District threatening the livelihood of many villagers.

Residents said the snakes which started streaming to the various homes last week, had so far bit five people who had been rushed to hospitals and were still undergoing treatment.

The snakes of varied species have invaded trees, thickets and sugarcane plantations and pathways making most locals to stay indoors and restrain the movement of the children.

One of those affected, Margaret Andanje said the snakes must have crawled from the nearby Malava forest which is linked to Kakamega forest renown for its variety of deadly snakes in the sub-Saharan Africa.

For the traditionalist, it is their view that a witch must have unleashed the serpents on the village and it is being interpreted as assign of bad omen.

Christians in the area congregated in churches on Sunday and prayers were held to undo the bad spell. Reverend Joram Mwenje who presided over the function led calls for people to repent and besiege God to remove the curse of snakes on the village. 

“Fear has gripped this entire village. The residents have been killing some of the serpents but they are too many. They are virtually everywhere and there is no peace here anymore,” said Rev. Mwenje of Pentecostal Assemblies of God (PAG) Church.

Residents of the village yesterday appealed to the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) to come to their aid by driving away the serpents.

For more News, click here