Narok residents stone to death huge python

Narok, Kenya: Residents of Ntulele area in Narok East have killed a three meter long python that has allegedly been swallowing sheep and goats.

The impatient residents killed it after Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) personnel failed to turn up in time.

The serpent was spotted crossing the Narok-Mai Mahiu road at the notorious blackspot, Pinyiny hills before it was stoned and hanged on a tree.

The incident caused heavy traffic snarl up with superstitious residents blaming it for the numerous fatal accidents, saying after the killing, there would be no more accidents.

“There will be no more accidents here. This python has been responsible for them. Now that it is gone, we should call church leaders to cleanse the road,” said John Nalang’u, a resident.

A local conservationist John Torome, who pleaded in vain with locals not to kill it until KWS personnel arrive, said it was regrettable that residents ventured into its habitat and killed it.

“This area is known to be a wildlife habitat. There are many lions, elephants and hyenas that inhabit Pinyiny thicket. It was wrong for locals to kill it yet KWS personnel were on the way to collect it,” said Torome.

“We are not friends to these kind of creatures and we are going to kill it. This snake that has been swallowing our sheep and goats was also a threat to our children” said Kantai Mereu.

The area KWS Senior Warden William Sang condemned the killing, saying locals could have been patient until his personnel’ who were cheld up elsewhere arrived.