Namanga: A bus driver and his conductor are in police custody after a live snake was discovered hidden inside a wooden box aboard a Kidia One Express bus at the Namanga border in Kajiado County.
According to Kenya News Agency, Ferdinand Amaumo, a Customs officer at the Namanga border, reported that the snake was found during a routine luggage inspection conducted by a joint operations team of customs and police officers.
The luggage, labeled as motor vehicle spare parts, contained a sender and recipient’s telephone numbers. However, a thorough search revealed a live snake concealed inside a wooden box. The team promptly contacted the Kenya Wildlife Service, which sent a trained snake handler to safely remove the reptile from the box.
Confirming the incident, OCPD Oloilalei Namanga, Julius Munyagia, stated that efforts are underway to apprehend the main suspect believed to be the owner of the consignment. The suspect was allegedly waiting to receive the package within Kenya. Munyagia warned individuals engaged in illegal activities along the border that they will be apprehended and prosecuted.
This incident follows another case barely three months ago when a bus from the same company was intercepted transporting cannabis worth Sh2.5 million to Nairobi. These events have raised concerns over the continued illegal trafficking through the Namanga border.
The two suspects are currently detained at Namanga Police Station awaiting arraignment in court as investigations continue.
