Authorities in Busia County recently apprehended a man found transporting a live snake across the Kenya-Uganda border.
The individual, identified as 26-year-old Fanish Ramsey Maloba from Matayos sub-county, was stopped by security personnel at Malenya border point during a routine inspection. Officers discovered the reptile inside a bag he was carrying as he returned from Uganda.
Mr. Maloba stated that he had traveled to Uganda for spiritual purposes and claimed to have encountered the snake during his visit. He further explained that he intended to take the snake to his local place of worship in Matayos.
Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) officials responded to the scene and took custody of the snake, while Mr. Maloba was temporarily held at Mayenje Police Post for further questioning.
In a similar past incident, a Ugandan citizen was intercepted at the Malaba border about six years ago while attempting to enter Kenya with a 5.5-foot-long cobra. The individual claimed to be a traditional healer intending to use the snake for treatment purposes in Bungoma County. Authorities later returned both the man and the reptile to Uganda, citing ecological concerns.
According to Kenyan law, handling or keeping wild animals such as snakes without a proper license from the Kenya Wildlife Service is a criminal offense. Offenders may face a fine of no less than KSh1 million, imprisonment for a term not less than five years, or both.
