When Jacob Chelemek bought land in Randich village, Kapseret, Uasin Gishu County, 25 years ago, he hoped to enjoy a peaceful retirement.
Instead, he discovered that his closest neighbour was a five-metre python living in a rocky, bushy section of his 25-acre farm.
Because of his passion for wildlife conservation, Chelemek chose to coexist with the reptile. However, villagers have recently demanded its removal after it developed a habit of attacking and devouring livestock.
The community now lives in fear, prompting Chelemek to call on the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) to capture and relocate the snake.
Chelemek says the python has spent more than 20 years feeding on chickens, goats and, occasionally, dogs.
He adds that the farm once had many wild rabbits, but believes the snake has wiped out most of them.
On Monday, KWS rangers searched the thicket for the reptile but failed to find it.
"Despite spotting it several times, I never wanted to kill it because I have always advocated for wildlife conservation, having worked for the World Wildlife Fund for Nature," Chelemek said.
He said two concerns finally convinced him to seek its relocation.
First, prolonged drought has forced the python to leave its habitat more frequently in search of water, leading it to prey on neighbours' chickens. Secondly, he fears it could eventually enter his compound and attack his children.
Chelemek says the snake has killed many of his chickens and goats since he first noticed it in 2005.
"I stopped grazing goats in the bushy sections of the farm. It has also terrified my family," he said.
He recalled spotting the python near one of its burrows two weeks ago while searching for a missing cow.
"No neighbour's chicken enters my farm and returns home. We searched for it today, but we were unlucky. I urge the KWS team not to give up until it is found," he said.
Neighbour Thomas Talam, who has lived in the village since 2014, claimed two of his farm workers resigned after encountering the python.
"I sent one of them to plant trees near the river. He spotted the snake, came back and resigned because he feared for his life. The second worker also saw it and left for the same reason," Talam said.
He added that the reptile also forced his wife to abandon a profitable poultry business.
"My wife started keeping chickens, but their numbers kept reducing mysteriously. She later discovered the snake was eating them and decided to stop the business," he said.
Another neighbour, Thomas Kutto, said the python has been a familiar sight since many residents settled in the area in 2003.
"There are other snakes in the neighbourhood, but the one on Chelemek's farm poses the greatest threat," he said.
Herpetologist Elicky Kipyego, who joined KWS officers in the search, said snakes play an important ecological role by controlling rodent and pest populations.
He said the python has four burrows within the thicket, although only one is currently active.
"It is simply looking for food. We encourage residents not to harm it," Kipyego said.