Legendary Omieri snake to be showcased at Kisumu fish fiesta » Capital News
KISUMU, Kenya, Apr 23 – Kisumu County is set to showcase the revered Omieri snake as it holds the grand finale of fish fiesta 2024.
According to the County Executive Committee Member (CECM) in charge of Trade, Tourism, Industry and Marketing, Farida Salim, the snake, which is preserved at the National Museums of Kenya in Nairobi will arrive at the lakeside city of Kisumu on Wednesday.
Salim says the exhibition of the legendary Omieri, will rekindle memories of the ancient tales and wisdoms it embodies.
“Omieri reminds us of the delicate balance between humans and nature, urging us to be mindful stewards of our surroundings,” she said.
Speaking to the press in Kisumu on Tuesday, Salim said the fish fiesta will culminate in Kisumu from April 25th to 27th at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Sports Ground.
This is the second time the snake will be returned to Kisumu, having been on display at the same grounds in 2018.
For the last 37 years, the 5.3 meters 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 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 Nyakach people.
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.
In its last exhibition in Kisumu, curious residents jammed the Grounds to take a glimpse of the python.
The county government has started putting up a makeshift where the body of the python will be placed for exhibition.
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