Kisumu County government is set to showcase the legendary Omieri snake as it holds the grand finale of Fish Fiesta 2024.
According to Farida Salim, the County Executive Committee Member (CECM) in charge of Trade, Tourism, Industry, and Marketing, the snake, which is preserved at the National Museums of Kenya in Nairobi, will arrive in the lakeside city of Kisumu on Wednesday.
Speaking in Kisumu on Tuesday, she said the exhibition of the legendary Omieri will rekindle memories of the ancient tales and wisdom it embodies.
“Omieri reminds us of the delicate balance between humans and nature, urging us to be mindful stewards of our surroundings.”
Further, Salim said the fish fiesta will culminate in Kisumu from April 25th to 27th at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Sports Ground.
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This is the second time the snake will be returned to Kisumu. It was on display at the same grounds in 2018.
For the last 37 years, the 5.3-meter python that was killed by a bush fire in Nyakach Sub County has been preserved at the Museum.
Nyakach Paramount Elder Ogongo Yano says Omieri brought good tidings to the community before its death.
Yano says the community received a bumper harvest, plenty of rain alongside other benefits.
“The death of Omieri in a bush fire brought us many problems and we regretted its death,” he said.
He said after the death of Omieri, it was taken to Nairobi against the wishes of the Nyakach people.
Additionally, Yano says over the years, they have asked the government to return the body of Omieri and have it returned to Nyakach for preservation.
“We want a snake park at the site where Omieri lived so that it can be taken back,” he said.
He noted that the community had already donated a piece of land to put up the snake park to host the remains of Omieri.
