A Silent Killer in Kilifi: Why Secure Homes Matter

Kilifi County’s coastline is stunning - palm trees sway, and the Indian Ocean sparkles in the sun. But beyond the postcard beauty, many families face a daily reality shaped by poverty. Jobs are scarce in this remote area, and the few opportunities that exist are often miles away, down rough dirt roads that are impossible to reach without transportation. With no steady income, safe housing remains out of reach for many. For those in Kilifi, home is often an informal shelter made of mud, sticks, and salvaged materials. These fragile structures offer little protection from the elements - and even less from the wildlife that arrives when the sun sets. In the darkness, venomous snakes like the Mamba, Adder, and Cobra can slip through dirt floors and unsealed doors, as families sleep exposed.

Community members line up outside a factory, hoping for a chance at day work.

Snakebite in Kenya

Snakebite is just one of many dangers families face when poverty forces them into unsafe housing. In Kenya, more than 4,000 people die from snakebite every year, and another 7,000 suffer paralysis or other serious complications. Children are most at risk. Nicholas O. Ondiek, CEO of Asante Aid, has seen this heartbreak too many times. He recalls parents waking up to find their children gone - small bodies unable to fight the venom.

A Story of Survival: Meet Nicholas On a recent trip to visit projects in Kenya, we met Nicholas Ouma Oyoo, a skilled carpenter and father of four. One night, he went to sleep with the hope of returning to his workshop the next morning but was jolted awake by a sharp pain in his leg. He initially thought it was a simple insect bite. As the hours passed, the venom spread, and the pain intensified.

Specialized medical care was hours away, and by the time a neighbor was able to give him a ride, it was too late. Doctors had no choice but to amputate. Nicholas had to sell his workshop to cover hospital bills and support his family. Today, he is rebuilding his life with courage - but no family should face this preventable tragedy.

Nicholas in his woodworking studio just one day before his snakebite.

Nicholas shares his story with us during a recent visit to Kenya.

How Secure Homes Protect Against Snakebite Snakebite is not just a medical issue - it is a housing issue. That’s why we partner with local leaders like Nicholas to build secure homes that are culturally appropriate and built with locally sourced materials.

Our home projects include:

• Raised foundations to keep wildlife out.

• Secure doors and windows to protect sleeping children.

• A bicycle to reach medical care when every minute matters.

These aren’t luxuries; they’re lifelines. A safe, well-built home is the foundation families need to safeguard their health and invest in their future.

Join the Movement Snakebite is just one of many threats families face when housing, water, and transportation access are inadequate. But together, we can dismantle these barriers - one home at a time. Take the Global Pledge and equip a family with clean water, a bicycle for mobility, and a home that protects them from harm and unlocks a lifetime of opportunity. Learn more and join the movement today!