Acknowledgements
We would like to acknowledge and appreciate the funding through International Centre for genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) which allowed us to perform this work. Machakos University management for the provision of the humble working environment and the laboratory space and the personnel resources that enable us to undertake this work. Ms. Sandra Ngelel, Alphas Amollo and Faith Ndunda for their technical support in carrying out some of the experiments. Special thanks go to the technical staffs at the Kenyasnake Venon Research Centre (KSRIC) who participated in sample collection and helping with the analysis of the samples.