Snake Community Action Now - SCAN

13/07/2026

Ecko John Maganga
Thisnis what he had to say,

Today I conducted a snake awareness to students from Dr Aggrey National school and their teachers who were on an educational tour in Ngangao forest,Taita Taveta County.
Out of the students I have trained before,the boys are quite knowledgeable and eager to learn more about snakes. The best class so far!

02/07/2026

Two rescues, two lives saved, one mission continued.

Today, our own Simon Namoni successfully rescued and safely relocated two snakes from the Kenya-AIST campus: a Puff Adder, one of Kenya's medically important venomous snakes, and a Striped Skaapsteker, a mildly venomous species.

There is great joy in knowing that both human lives and snake lives were protected today.

These rescues are a testament to the power of knowledge and awareness, and to the impact that Snake Community Action Now! SCAN continues to have in communities and institutions across Kenya.

Behind the scenes, SCAN remains busy doing what needs to be done — replacing fear with knowledge, preventing snakebites, promoting coexistence, and ensuring that snakes continue playing their vital role in our ecosystems.

Sisi ndiyo SCAN. 🇰🇪

02/07/2026

Building Safer Communities Through Knowledge

Our very own Stephen Githenya had the honour of teaching the staff at Ateli Ventures Limited on snake awareness and snakebite first aid on Saturday, June 27, 2026.

The team is now better equipped to do their tasks safely when working in the outdoors and with wildlife by providing participants with practical knowledge on snake identification, snakebite avoidance, safe coexistence, and proper first aid techniques.

At SCAN, we think that the best way to lessen fear, avoid snakebite, and encourage the preservation of these significant but frequently misunderstood animals that are a part of our country's history is via education.

Every awareness-raising event produces new conservation advocates, and each individual reached contributes to the effort to save the lives of snakes and humans.

We genuinely thank Ateli Ventures Limited for accepting this crucial training and for being proactive in promoting environmental stewardship and occupational safety.

Together, we keep substituting cohabitation for war and knowledge for fear.

Sisi ndiyo SCAN.

20/06/2026

19/06/2026

Snake rescue call at Kinyenjere junior and pry school.
Lesrners sighted a black snake in class, as per the description it was a brown house snake.
I did snake awareness to learners and they were happy.

17/06/2026

Forever living in our hearts
Indelibly imbibed in our hearts
The landscape of East Africa will cherish how you cares for it.
The forest of Western Kenya will miss tou5
The grassland Savanna of Kenya will be have you as their hero.
The bonus way to keep the leach is doing what you loved best

15/06/2026

IN MEMORY OF PROF JONATHAN E TWINING

Today i conducted training to learners and teachers at Mutunyi pry and junior school in Buuri Wat sub county in Meru county. The school sits at the border of counties of Meru and Isiolo and along the fence of Lewa wildlife conservancy, the fact that makes it a haven of human snake conflicts.
I handled snake identification of venomoussnakes foundaround, snake bite prevention and first aid.
The response was so positive with so many questions from both learners and teachers.
Mr Mohamed Hassan was so welcoming and courteous and he promised open doors for training learners any time the need be.
I left them with mobile number of Rizack Moon who resides nearby for snake removal from residential places.
ine of the learners (name withheld) narrated to me how he was bitten by a snake on Sunday while attending church service. He was lucky that the culprit was one of non venomous snakes hence he survived without antivenom.

HUMAN SNAKE CONFLICTS
DEDICATION TO THE JONS

12/06/2026

KEEPING THE WISHES OF OUR FOUNDER. A message of goodwill and appreciation of many years Prof Jon trained us to be instruments of hope to the needy world, from John Maganga, the vice chairman of SCAN.
Snake Awareness and Snakebite Prevention Training at Marungu Primary School

Today, I conducted a Snake Awareness and Snakebite Prevention training session at Marungu Primary School in Wundanyi Sub-County, Taita Taveta County. The training aimed to equip learners, teachers, and community members with essential knowledge on snake identification, snakebite prevention, safe behavior around snakes, and appropriate first-aid measures in the event of a snakebite.
The session emphasized the importance of coexistence with snakes, understanding their ecological role, and reducing the risk of snakebite incidents through awareness and preventive practices. Participants actively engaged in discussions and demonstrations, gaining valuable skills that can help save lives and promote safety within the community.
This training was made possible through the support of Snake Community Action Now (SCAN), an organization dedicated to reducing the burden of snakebite through education, awareness, and community engagement.
As I carried out this important activity, i also took time to honor and remember Professor Jonathan Emerson Twining, the founder of SCAN. His vision, dedication, and tireless efforts in advancing snakebite awareness and prevention have left a lasting impact on communities across Kenya and beyond. His legacy continues to inspire our work in protecting lives through education and community action.
May his soul rest in peace.
I extend my sincere appreciation to the administration, staff, and pupils of Marungu Primary School for their warm reception, active participation, and commitment to promoting snakebite prevention and safety.
Special appreciation to Lumo Community Wildlife Conservancy team led by their community liason officer Daniel Mwakisachi Righa,who also took the participants through conserving the environment and wildlife protection.
Together, through awareness, education, and community engagement, we can reduce snakebite incidents and save lives.

31/05/2026

While I'm mourning my great friend and mentor Prof Jonathan Emerson Twining something strange happens today🙆🏽‍♀️a woman is spat on by an Ashes Spitting Cobra (Naja ashei) that went into her house through a space under the door....
The area Asst chief reaches out for advice.
I directed them to rinse the eyes with clean running water for 15-20min,cover the eyes with a piece of cloth and head to the nearest medical facility for treatment.

I meet her at the facility where the nurse in charge is attending to her. Kudos to the nurse who responded to this emergency being a Sunday.

I later accompany the victim to her home to see culprit snake that had since been killed by the neighbors.

A Large Brown/Ashes Spitting Cobra (Naja ashei) is the culprit.
A highly venomous snake with cytotoxic venom causing tissue death death(necrosis). Delayed treatment can cause blindness,or amputation incase of a bite.

Happy to report the lady is responding well to treatment.

Prof Jonathan Emerson Twining taught us to treat snakebite cases as emergencies as that could mean life or death.

Thank you my friend and mentor.

Rest well Mwalimu wangu.

30/05/2026

In Loving Memory of Prof. Jonathan Emerson Twining
It is with profound sorrow and heavy hearts that we at Snake Community Action NOW! (SCAN) mourn the passing of our founder, mentor, teacher, and friend, Prof. Jonathan Emerson Twining.
Prof. Jonathan was a unique person whose enthusiasm for human-snake coexistence, education, snakebite prevention, and snake conservation impacted many lives worldwide. His vision and commitment led to the creation of SCAN, an association based on the idea that information may save both human and snake lives.

Many of us had the honor of learning from him, receiving mentoring from him, and being motivated by his steadfast dedication to public education and conservation. He urged us to replace conflict with coexistence, myths with realities, and fear with knowledge. His lessons still direct our work on a daily basis.

The impact of Prof. Jonathan went much beyond educational institutions, conservation circles, and classrooms. He influenced a generation of environmentalists, educators, snake rescues, medical professionals, and community leaders by his generosity, insight, support, and friendship.

While we mourn his passing, we also honor a life filled with meaning, impact, and service. Every community contacted, every snakebite avoided, every snake saved, and every person impacted by the work he inspired are all examples of his legacy.

We send our sincere sympathies on behalf of the whole SCAN family to Julie, Jared, friends, family, coworkers, students, and everyone else who was touched by him.

Even though he is no longer with us, his vision lives on in the task he gave us.
You left us with this motto
"Reach Them However You Can, Wherever You Can, With Whomever Is at Hand." It shall

Rest in Peace, Our Father, Our Prof. Jonathan Emerson Twining.
Your guidance shaped us.
Your vision united us.
Your legacy will continue through us.