Uhuru Rescues from Prison Kenyan Man Caught Carrying Python in Suitcase, Pays Sh1 Million Fine for Him

President Kenyatta has come to the rescue of a 33-year-old Kenyan man who was handed a 2-year prison sentence last week after he was arrested carrying a snake.

Benedict Karissa Iha had stashed the 2.3-meter live python weighing 10 kilograms in a black suitcase and was waiting to cross the Likoni Ferry Channel in Mombasa when he was intercepted. This was after an X-ray scan showed the snake tucked in the travel case.

Appearing before Mombasa Resident Magistrate Vincent Adet on February 12th, Karissa pleaded guilty to the offense of being in a possession of a wildlife species without a permit.

In his ruling, magistrate Adet said the accused knew that he required a permit before handling the python, having previously worked with the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS).

“I find that the accused, having worked with the KWS ought to have known that a permit was required in such circumstance,” the judgment read.

He was facing the charge of possession of a wild animal without a permit contrary to Section 95 (c) of the Wildlife Conservation Act.

The man was freed from Shimo La Tewa Prison on Friday after intervention by President Uhuru, according to Coast Regional Coordinator John Elungata. 

Elungata divulged that Kenyatta paid the alternative Sh1 million fine slapped on him by the court. He was further given bus fare of Sh8,340 to his home in Mtwapa, Kilifi County.

Speaking to Daily Nation on Friday, Karisa said he had been given the python by his father, Jackson Charo, 70, who has been rescuing snakes for over four decades. He said they have been taking the snakes to a park in Diani once they rescue them.

“Every time my father is called by villagers to go and fetch a snake, he asks me to transport it to Diani for safe custody. This has been the norm but this time round I was nabbed at around 8 am at the Likoni channel. I called my father and informed him of the development,” he said.

“I had forgotten my permit. I realized my goose was cooked."

The magistrate said Karisa’s explanation on where he was taking the snake was not convincing and fined him Sh1 million or a 2-year prison term in default.