Relatives of snake-bite victims have called for a review of the Kenya Wildlife Service policy on compensation.
The call came during the burial of a six-year-old boy at Kyanika village, Mwingi West, on Tuesday.
The class one pupil died at Mwingi Level 4 hospital where he had been taken after being bitten on the right thigh by a green mamba.
The second-born of Mwaniki Mwanzia had accompanied his parents to the farm to harvest maize on Monday.
His aunt, Anna Mutua, said the Standard 1 pupil at Syomikuku Primary School pupil could have been saved if transport was readily accessible. She lamented the poor state of roads.
“If only there were better roads and dispensaries, we would not have lost our son,” Mutua said.
She at the same time asked the government to come up with a snake-bite compensation plan.
“Those of us who live in the villages risk being bitten by snakes as we have to go to the farms and forests to fetch firewood, herd cattle, among other duties,” she said.
The middle-aged woman said they are told not to kill snakes, yet when the reptiles attack them, no action is taken. Those lucky to survive the bites are maimed for life.
“Who cares about us?” she asked during the emotional send-off. “I loved my nephew. Whenever he visited I felt a lot of peace. He made me forget my sorrows.”
Neighbour Shadrack Muli said they reported the incident to KWS but they were told that the National Assembly has scrapped snake-bite victim compensation policy.
“We were advised not to undertake a postmortem examination and that nobody would compensate us,” Muli said.
