Man found in possession of snake at Busia border

In a bizarre incident, a man was arrested in Busia County after he was found in possession of a snake.

Fanish Ramsey Maloba, 26, was intercepted by officers manning Malenya boarder point while returning to Kenya from Uganda. Upon searching the bag the man was carrying, the officers were shocked to find a snake.

Maloba who hails from Matayos sub-county claimed that he had gone to Uganda to offer prayers and cast away demons when the snake appeared from nowhere and he captured it, and he was taking it to his Apostle Ministry church in Matayos.

Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) officers were called to take the snake away while the man was detained at Mayenje Police Post.

About six years ago, a Ugandan national identified as Joshua Bumba was found in possession of a 5.5 feet cobra at Malaba border while trying to enter Kenya. 

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Then Busia County Police Commander John Nyoike, said upon interrogation, Bumba claimed that he was a witchdoctor and he was intending to use the reptile to treat a mentally retarded person in Bungoma County.

However, KWS officers advised that the suspect and the snake be repatriated to Uganda, arguing that the serpent may not survive on Kenyan soil.

According to the law, a person keeping, being in possession or dealing in snakes or snake products without a license issued by KWS is liable upon conviction to a fine of not less than Sh1 million or imprisonment for a term of not less than five years or to both such imprisonment and fine.