Murang'a 'snake charmer' buried after collapsing at a party

A 25-year-old snake 'charmer' has been buried in Murang'a county.

The mention of Eston Kimani's name used to elicit both fear and respect at his Kadundu village home in Murang’a County.

Eston is said to have collapsed at a party before he was rushed to Murang'a Level 5 Hospital where he was admitted but later succumbed.

The autopsy later showed that he had died from meningitis and there was no foul play as it had been earlier speculated. 

The snake handler was known for his love of the reptiles and commitment to their preservation.

The young unemployed man was recently picked as a scout for KWS.

While he lacked the scientific knowledge of snake handling, Kimani, nicknamed Virus, had taught himself how to expertly use his bare hands, wooden sticks and a gunny bag to immobilise and catch the reptiles.

And as word had gone round that he is an expert snake catcher, locals were seeking his assistance to fish out snakes that had ventured into their homesteads.