Police turn up with stinky python in court

Nairobians at a court’s public gallery were taken aback when police turned up with a filthy polythene bag.

The black plastic bag contained python skins.

The skins were evidence in a case in which a man had been accused of peddling wildlife trophy.

The remains of the reptile, weighing more than two kilos, became an issue of concern at the Makadara Court when wananchi at the public gallery complained about the stench.

Even after the discomfort, the case could not be heard on July 4 because the magistrate was held up in a meeting.

Onlookers asked the investigating officer to remove the remains of the python from court.

“The last time I bought and wore ‘python skin’ shoes, I developed rashes. That’s why I am afraid of reptiles,” a law intern at the court told The Nairobian.

Police prosecutor Leonard Kurgat later explained to The Nairobian that police had no choice but to present the python skins in court as evidence to support their case against Peter Mutie, who is accused of dealing in wildlife trophy.

“It will be against the law not to produce any kind of evidence, whether they are stinking python skins or any other strange object. This is necessary before any ruling is made,” said the prosecutor.