The Commission on Administrative Justice, also known as the Office of the Ombudsman, has ordered the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) to release records on snakebite-related deaths recorded since January 2022 within 21 days.
In a statement on Wednesday, April 22, the commission said the directive followed a review application filed after KWS allegedly failed to provide the requested information.
The Office of the Ombudsman said failure to comply with the order could lead to legal action against the agency’s leadership.
“The Commission has ordered the Director General, Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), to release information on the statistical summary of all snakebite-related deaths from January 2022 to the date of the order within 21 days.
“In the event of non- compliance, the Commission shall recommend criminal prosecution against the Director General in line with Section 28 of the Access to Information Act, 2016,” the statement read.
According to the commission, the orders arose from an application for review dated September 2, 2025, filed by Mr. P.M under the Access to Information Act, 2016.
The case stemmed from KWS’s earlier decision to decline a request made through a letter dated August 9, 2025, seeking a statistical summary of all snakebite-related deaths from January 2022 to date.
Mr. P.M said the information was needed to support a petition to the Senate on public health and administrative accountability.
The Ombudsman said it formally sought KWS’s position after receiving the complaint.
“Upon receipt of the application for review, the Commission, through a letter dated September 5, 2025, wrote to KWS requiring the Service to furnish the Commission with its Institutional Report to enable the Commission to make an appropriate decision on the application,” the statement added.
KWS later responded on September 23, 2025, stating that it had already communicated with Mr. P.M in an earlier letter dated September 4, 2025, which the requester acknowledged through email on September 7, 2025.
However, the commission found that KWS’s response dealt with a different issue concerning Mr. P.M’s stated intention to procure snake venom from licensed producers for dose titration and development of a Supervalent antivenom, rather than the requested statistics on deaths caused by snakebites.
The commission said it again notified KWS on November 11, 2025, that the requested information remained outstanding and invited final remarks before making a determination. No further response was received.
After reviewing the matter, the commission directed KWS to immediately facilitate access to the requested information.
“After a detailed analysis of all the issues for determination, and upon due consideration of the applicable statutory provisions and relevant judicial precedent, the Commission orders Kenya Wildlife Service, through its Director General, to facilitate access to information and records relating to the request made by Mr. P.M., as contained in the letter dated August 9, 2025, specifically on the statistical summary of all snakebite-related deaths from January 2022 to the date of the Order; and to proactively disclose statistical information on all snakebite-related deaths, including compensation reports, through its institutional website or other appropriate media,” the statement further read.
