Life on Migingo Island, sitting deep in the heart of Lake Victoria, is not for the faint-hearted.
According to some fishermen on the island, snakes, living in the numerous rock fissures, are constant danger and concern to the residents.
Although there has not been recent reported cases of people suffering snakebites on the island, the fear is palpable; and ever present, albeit quietly.
Some residents told Wananchi Reporting that the black mamba snake, locally referred to as ‘endubi’, is a common fixture on the streets of the island especially at night.
“People don’t just walk anyhow at night because you can easily step onto a snake,” says a fisherman on the Island who only identified himself as Paul.
The snakes often come out of the rocks at night, when it’s cool and quiet, to look for food. Some even enter houses.
There are no footpaths or roads on the island, and all you will find are rocks, and more rocks. The corridors are tiny, with makeshift houses at every turn.
Inhabitants of the Island have to sometimes skip, hop and jump over rocks to move from one place to another – on the island.
At night, one has to sleep under a mosquito net ostensibly to protect themselves from falling bats, lizards, mosquitos, scorpions and snakes.
“Whenever you arrive here, the first thing you must find is a house to sleep in, and a mosquito net,” says Paul.
Here there are no schools – but you will find young children – innocently loitering on the streets of the island. Most of the children have not reached the school-going age, which probably explains why they are here and not in school.
These are children of traders and business people who have invested on the island. Here bars, brothels, lodging and rental houses share walls on this behemoth of rock; a home man here are learning to share with snakes and monitors.
Some of the reptiles, even harmless ones, can sneak into houses — and onto beds or sleeping mats.
The residents say it’s all about cautious and careful living.
Although the island has individuals running makeshift pharmacies, there is no anti-venom on the island.
“I know we have not had any cases of snake bites, but what if someone is bitten and needs an anti-venom?” poses Paul.
The little island, a tiny 0.49-acre rock, is, according to a 2009 Kenya census reports, home to about 131 people, although others place it at around 500.
Here you will find fishermen, business people; women and women, children, police officers and occasionally just visitors who come to marvel at this rock.
