A section of residents in Tharaka Nithi County has raised alarm over the increase of cases of snakebites in the region.
Parents of pupils learning at Kamatungu Primary School have now called on the government to fumigate the surrounding bushes in order to keep the snakes away.This comes after the school principal, Mr David Gitonga, was on Monday evening bitten by a snake when leaving an evening class. The teacher, who was taken to Tharaka Sub-County Hospital for treatment is reported to have accidentally stepped on the snake.The incident happened barely a month after a class six student at the school died of a snakebite while undergoing treatment. According to Tharaka Nithi County Health Executive Gichuiya Nthuraku, around 22 incidents of snakebites have been recorded since last December."Our children and their teachers are at a risk because there seems to be an increase in the number of snakes in the area," said Mr James Murauko, a parent.The parents are now calling on the Kenya Wildlife Service to take responsibility and prevent such cases from occurring.Lucy Kagendo, a parent, said quite a good number of people have died of snakebites, with some survivours being left with severe injuries."Many people have died and others left with severe injuries because of snakebites and it is high time Kenya Wildlife Service took responsibility," said Kagendo.