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Kenya is on the verge of a groundbreaking achievement that could significantly improve healthcare for snakebite victims across the country.
The Kenya Institute of Primate Research (KIPR), under the Ministry of Health, is spearheading efforts to locally manufacture anti-venom, a move that could offer a much-needed lifeline for those living in snakebite-prone regions, such as the Coast, Lower Eastern, and the arid parts of Rift Valley, including Samburu and Baringo.
Snakebites, long considered a neglected tropical disease, have been a persistent threat in these areas, where access to prompt healthcare is limited, and the availability of effective anti-venom has been scarce. Kenya currently relies on imported anti-venom from India and Europe, which often proves less effective against local snake species. Dr. Peter Gichuhi Mwethera, Chief Executive Officer of KIPR, explained the institution’s dedication to changing this situation in a recent interview with The Times.
“Snakebites and their consequences have been neglected for too long. We are working with various organizations to develop a modern, effective anti-venom that will address the daily distress calls of snakebite cases,” Dr. Mwethera said. He added that the institution plans to produce this anti-venom locally within the next 15 months.
Backed by government support, KIPR has already received an initial tranche of funding to kickstart the project. The first phase involves “milking” venom from local snakes and sending it to India for processing. Within a year, through a technology transfer program, Kenya will begin manufacturing the anti-venom locally, with the goal of achieving self-sufficiency by 2025.
In addition to anti-venom production, KIPR is working with partners to raise awareness among communities, empower healthcare professionals, and advocate for prompt medical intervention after snakebites. The institution is also mapping high-risk areas to provide a more efficient response to the 8,000 Kenyans who suffer from snakebite-related complications, such as amputation or disfigurement, each year.
KIPR’s research efforts include a collaboration with the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, and the institute has dedicated a 78-acre parcel of land in Samburu for research on snakebites and venom. Dr. Mwethera also emphasized the importance of engaging the private sector to forge partnerships that will enhance the effectiveness of this initiative.
As Kenya moves closer to locally producing anti-venom, this milestone promises to save lives and improve the country’s healthcare capacity in addressing one of its most pressing, yet often overlooked, medical challenges.
