A3-year-old girl tragically passed away on Saturday June 13, 2024 after mistakenly consuming a snake in Mwingi, Kitui County.
The reports suggest that the little 3-year-old girl was playing in the home compound when she came across a burnt snake.
She thought it was something edible and ate it, tragically resulting in her death.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the grandmother of the young girl had taken down the snake that had entered their compound.
In line with the local customs, the grandmother burnt the snake but left the burnt remains in their home compound.
The young girl, from Kavuvwani Village in Mwingi Central, tragically passed away shortly after consuming the poisonous snake.
Authorities found no signs of foul play in the wake of the unfortunate incident.
Meanwhile, Kenyans raised concerns about why the snake was left in the compound, potentially endangering the young children playing in the vicinity.
A Kenyan pointed out, “As an adult, she should be aware that even the bones of a snake are poisonous if accidentally touched.
“When burning snakes, it’s crucial to ensure complete disposal by burying the remains deep to leave only ash.”
Kitui County stands out as one of the hardest-hit areas in Kenya when it comes to fatalities caused by snakes.
The impact of climate change has led to an increase in snakes venturing out of their natural habitats to search for food and water in residential areas.
The body of the girl was taken to the mortuary at Mwingi Level IV Hospital, where it will undergo a postmortem examination.