Villagers from West Nyakach and Kabodho in Nyakach subcounty killed and burnt the carcasses of two giant pythons, rekindling memories of the legendary snake, Omieri.
West Nyakach chief Seth Agwanda said residents who were ploughing a farm along River Sondu discovered the first snake in Kabodho.
The second incident occurred when the snake slithered into a homestead in Kadiang’a village.
The incessant barking of dogs alerted residents.
Upper Nyakach Assistant County Commissioner Dawin Orina noted that Kenya Wildlife Service rangers were immediately notified and they recovered the burnt carcasses.
Nyakach was known world over because of a python that was named Omieri.
In the quiet village of Pap Onditi, lived a mysterious man by the name of Omieri.
After he died, an enormous python was sighted brooding over her eggs next to his homestead.
The villagers started speculating that it was the man who had reincarnated as a python, and therefore, named it after him.
The Luo community from the Nyakach area traditionally sees pythons as bearers of good luck.
The appearance of a python was thought to bring heavy downpour and consequently bountiful harvest. So the appearance of Omieri was celebrated.
The news of Omieri spread like wildfire and shortly afterwards, visitors were coming in from all corners of the world.
The village soon became a tourist destination. On February 27, 1987, local tour guides set a bush on fire in a bid to make Omieri come out for viewing by the tourists.
However, the fire got out of control, and Omieri suffered serious burns.
Despite the efforts by KWS and the National Museums of Kenya to save it, Omieri eventually died in July 1987.
Omieri's death left Nyakach distraught and villagers held a three-day mourning ceremony for it.
In April 2024, Kisumu County Government arranged to showcase the remains of the legendary snake.
Residents of Nyakach however demanded that the remains of the legendary snake be returned to its ancestral home from Nairobi saying it was whisked to Nairobi without the consent of the local community through public participation forums.
