Ongata Rongai residents in shock as a man is caught with an eight-feet python

Rongai, Nairobi: Residents of Burgei Village in Rongai Constituency were in for a rude shock when a man in his late 40's was caught tending an eight- feet python in his own shamba on Wednesday afternoon.

The shocked villagers suspecting that the man was a witch attempted to lynch him but he escaped. The villagers then killed the python which had a ring on its neck.

Albert Seroney a resident of Burgei said they had never seen such a thing and it was shocking.

"We were all shocked by what we saw and the villagers decided to kill the snake though others protested against killing," said Seroney.

Police from Rongai Police Station arrived at the scene and carried away the remains of the serpent.

While speaking to The Standard, Rongai Police Station OCS Sheila Kegode said they would carry out investigations to establish the truth of the matter.

"We will thoroughly carry out further investigations but we must first bring into custody the man alleged to have owned the serpent," said Kegode.

She said the investigations will unravel whether the man had a license to keep the reptile.

"Anybody allowed to keep snakes and other kinds of wildlife must possess a license issued by Kenya Wildlife Service and our investigations will reveal that," she said.

On Thursday, Rongai residents were streaming at the station to have a glimpse of the serpent, which the police said would be disposed off once they are through with their investigations.