A 15-year-old boy is fighting for his life at Litein Mission Hospital in Kericho County after eating a raw snake.
Amos Kiptoo reportedly picked the snake from a nearby bush after it had been killed and ate it raw, starting with its tail and only sparing the head.
Dr Valentine Mbithi, the deputy medical superintendent at Litein Mission Hospital, said Kiptoo was rushed to the facility at around 5 pm on Saturday in critical condition after ingesting the reptile.
“The patient was immediately taken to the High Dependency Unit (HDU) and started on management for anaphylaxis related to biotoxins from snake ingestion,” Dr Mbithi said.
The doctor said the teenager’s condition has since improved.
“He has been moved from the HDU to the general surgical male ward and is recuperating well,” Dr. Mbithi said adding that the hospital had never handled such a case.
The boy's mother, Emily Ruto, recounted Kiptoo’s shocking revelation that he was carrying a snake in his pocket.
“He pulled the snake out of his pocket and said he was going to eat it. I thought he was joking. Then he ran towards the river, ate the snake, and drank some water,” she said.
The bizarre behavior didn’t end there. Kiptoo's uncle, John Ruto, narrated how the boy turned violent when villagers tried to take him to the hospital.
“It took three people to subdue him and chain him. He threatened to bite us,” the uncle said.
Kiptoo was first taken to Kapkoros Health Center before being referred to Litein Mission Hospital for specialized care.
When asked if hunger drove the boy to eat the snake, his uncle dismissed the idea, attributing the incident to alcohol abuse.
“He brews and sells illicit alcohol. I believe he was intoxicated when he ate the snake,” said Ruto.
In light of the unusual case, Litein Mission Hospital's Board of Management Chairman, lawyer Bernhard Kipkoech, announced plans to offer Kiptoo psychological support upon discharge.
“The patient will receive additional care from our mental health unit to help prevent a similar incident in the future,” he said.
Dr Mbithi said the patient remains under medical observation.