A family from Nikaphu village in Msambweni sub-county, Kwale is mourning the loss of their Grade 5 son who died from a snake bite.
The tragedy struck last Saturday when the Kanana Genesis Primary School pupil, 13, went for a short call near a sugarcane plantation owned by Kwale International Sugarcane Company (KISCOL).
“He had gone to relieve himself when he started crying, saying that he had been bitten,” his mother, Charity Halima Lewa, said.
Lewa, expressed her heartbreak, saying her son had been a disciplined and hardworking child with promise of a brighter future, but the tragic loss had left them in deep financial and emotional distress, with mounting hospital bills and burial expenses
“I had hoped that my son would one day get a good education and secure a job to help lift our family out of poverty,” she said.
Nyawa Mangale, a relative, emphasized the family’s dire financial situation and appealed to the government for assistance in covering the costs.
He said that the government’s intervention is essential not only for immediate relief but also to ensure educational opportunities for the deceased’s siblings.
The community has also called for greater action against the rising snake threat in the area, attributing the increased incidents to the sugarcane plantations in the area.
Salim Kasim, a resident, pointed out that since 2018, the number of snake bites has risen, with the dangerous environment threatening children’s access to education as families live in constant fear.
Kasim urged the government to expedite the relocation process, highlighting the urgency of their situation.
“We were promised compensation, and with the president’s announcement of funds allocated for resettling squatters, we must be included in this initiative,” he said.
Kasim said as the family grieves the loss of their son, they are not only seeking compensation for his death but also advocating for more attention to education and safety in the region.
Ginora Kinyasi, another resident, called on Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) to take immediate action to control the marauding snakes, noting that the area is home to many dangerous species.
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She reported that several individuals have suffered amputations of their limbs due to venomous snake bites.
Mathias Mutua, KISCOL’s Community Relations Manager, expressed his sorrow over the tragic loss of the child, describing it as a deeply saddening incident.
However, he clarified that the sugarcane plantation in question belongs to KISCOL and that the community had been advised to vacate the area a long time ago.
Mutua also said that the company has faced challenges in farming due to the surrounding community members frequently setting fire to the plantations.
He urged the community to collaborate with their local leaders to expedite the government’s promised relocation process, ensuring they can live in a safe and secure environment.
By Shaban Omar
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