Man Arrested For Carrying A Snake At Busia Roadblock

A man was arrested after he was found carrying a snake in a bag without documentation at a roadblock in Mayenje, Busia County.

The man was crossing Malenya border point from Uganda on Sunday May 4 when police officers manning the spot noticed he had a snake in his bag.

The discovery disrupted businesses at the border point as police sought help to address the serpent.

The Kenyan man was identified as Fanish Ramsey Maloba, 26 from Matayos area.

He told police he had crossed to Uganda for prayers to cast demons from his life when the two-meter-long black snake appeared

He said he was taking the snake to his church known as Apostle Ministry Church in Matayos, for more prayers.

Police alerted officials from the Kenya Wildlife Service who picked it up for safe custody.

The man was detained pending possible arraignment.

Police said it is a criminal offence to carry of own a snake without an official permit from KWS.

The investigators also want to establish the nature of prayers offered at the church.

Traffic started to flow at the border point moments after KWS officials had picked the snake and left, witnesses said.

Police said they suspect there is an element of occultism in the church and hence want to take action to stop it, if any.

There has been a rise in cases of occultism, which have led to the deaths of many.

Many others are emaciated in various places over the practice.

Two weeks ago, more than 50 people were found in a church compound fasting and praying in what is believed to be occultism in Rongo, Migori County.

At least two people were found dead at the facility, prompting a probe. The church has been closed pending a probe.

A police officer believed to have been radicalised was buried at a church compound in Kamagambo, Migori county, prompting police investigations.