Kenya has renewed its call for urgent action to deal with snakebite cases, saying the problem is still affecting many people across the country.
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale said Kenya records more than 19,000 snakebite cases every year, with over 1,000 deaths. He added that many survivors are left with serious, long-term health problems.
Duale spoke during a meeting with Global Snakebite Taskforce Co-Chair Elhadj As Sy on the sidelines of the World Health Summit Regional Meeting 2026.
Duale further noted that the Kenya Government was seeking to ensure improved management of snakebites by incorporating the issue in treatment under Universal Health Coverage.
This is alongside improving early detection at community level, ensuring proper referral as well as improving data recording to improve case documentation.
Kenya is also developing a map of the high-risk areas.
In addition, Kenya is putting effort into providing its own solution. Kenya Institute of Primate Research is working to produce antivenom for the snakebite cases based on the type of snakes found in the area.
Also plans have been made to establish a national laboratory to check the efficacy of antivenoms used.
In a broader context, Kenya has also been consulting with its partner organizations such as Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and African Union Development Agency in order to formulate an approach to tackle the challenge.
Nonetheless, Duale noted the importance of making additional efforts on the international platform in order to confront the issue.
The meeting concluded with the need for enhanced coordination for dealing with the snakebites.
In attendance at the meeting were Public Health Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni and Director-General for Health Patrick Amoth.
