An Ordinary Night, A Deadly Visitor: How a Cobra Claimed the Life of Kenyan Journalist Kitavi Mutua

Death came to Kitavi Mutua in a place where he least expected it: the comfort of his own home.

There was no adventure in the wilderness, no expedition into the bush and no deliberate encounter with dangerous wildlife. The Nation Media Group correspondent was at his home in Kitui South when a highly venomous red spitting cobra struck, setting off a medical battle that would ultimately claim his life.

Mutua died yesterday at Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral and Research Hospital (KUTRRH), where he had spent two weeks receiving intensive medical care.

The snakebite reportedly triggered severe complications, with his lungs, liver and kidneys progressively failing despite efforts by medical professionals to save him.

His death has brought renewed attention to the often-overlooked danger posed by snakes, particularly in communities where encounters can happen right inside people’s homes.

Throughout his journalism career, Mutua was passionate about telling stories that connected people to their environment. His reporting covered wildlife conservation, climate change, agriculture and the everyday experiences of communities across Ukambani.

Ironically, a man who dedicated much of his professional life to documenting the relationship between people and nature has become the subject of a tragic reminder of how unpredictable that relationship can be.

Snake encounters are often associated with people venturing into forests, grasslands or remote wilderness areas. However, snakes can also find their way into residential spaces, seeking shelter, warmth or prey.

Night-time movements around homes, poorly secured buildings, accumulated rubbish and unattended woodpiles can increase the chances of unwanted encounters.

Health and wildlife safety experts advise that anyone bitten by a snake should remain calm, minimise movement, keep the affected limb still and seek emergency medical attention immediately.

Where possible, the hospital should be contacted in advance to establish whether appropriate antivenom and treatment facilities are available.

Victims should never attempt to cut the wound, suck out venom, apply tight tourniquets or use traditional remedies. If venom enters the eyes, they should be flushed immediately with plenty of clean water.

Equally important is avoiding attempts to capture or kill the snake. A photograph taken from a safe distance may help with identification, but pursuing the animal can expose others to further danger.

Simple household precautions, including keeping doors properly secured, clearing vegetation and rubbish around homes, using a torch when walking outside at night and sleeping on raised beds where possible, can help reduce the risk of encounters.

Kitavi Mutua spent his career giving a voice to stories that mattered, documenting the environment and the people whose lives were shaped by it.

His sudden death is a painful reminder that some of the greatest dangers do not announce their arrival.

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