This archive report was first published on 18 June 2020.
June 18, 2020, marked a significant step towards Kenya's self-sufficiency in anti-venom production, as the government explored a partnership with Bio Ken Snake Farm in Watamu.
Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala announced the ministry's intention to collaborate with Bio Ken, the World Health Organization (WHO), and other research organizations to develop an anti-venom drug from snake venom.
According to Balala, the partnership aims to legalize Bio Ken's operations and explore the possibility of manufacturing the anti-venom drug in Kenya, thereby reducing the country's reliance on imports.
Snake bites account for 80 percent of all deaths arising from wildlife attacks in Kenya, a statistic that Balala attributed to the high number of human-wildlife conflicts.
“We have looked at their records and my office and Bio Ken want to form a partnership so that we can legalize their operations and see if the anti-venom drug can be manufactured in the country so Kenya can stop importing the same,” Balala said.
He emphasized the importance of civic education to enlighten communities on how to handle snakes and reduce the cases of snakebites.
“If we manage to handle snakes well, we will reduce attacks of snakes in this region,” Balala said.
By Emmanuel Masha
