This archive report was first published on 3 November 2019.
On a typical day in the 1990s at Nairobi's JKIA freight terminal, a peculiar incident unfolded that would leave staff shaken. A Congolese traveler had forwarded a briefcase as cargo, which was later discovered to contain a cobra snake.
The briefcase was being sorted by warehouse acceptance staff when they noticed it trembling and emitting hissing sounds. Initially, some staff thought it might be a bomb, while others believed it could be an occult spirit. However, when the cargo supervisor opened the briefcase, a cobra snake sprang out, sending everyone scrambling for safety.
Fortunately, no one was harmed, and the Kenya Wildlife Services (KWS) was called in to catch the snake. The operation was a challenge, with the snakes playing hide and seek among the cargo laddered racks in the warehouse, bringing all cargo operations to a halt.
Once the snakes were caught, the KWS team revealed that they were rare, endangered species, highly prized by collectors in the USA who would pay thousands of dollars per snake. This incident highlighted the issue of wildlife trafficking, which often goes unnoticed, especially in comparison to drug trafficking.
It is astonishing to think that in Kenya, snakes are often seen as a threat, while in other parts of the world, they are highly valued and can fetch a significant amount of money. The incident also raised questions about how the Congolese man had managed to trap the snakes, which he had obtained from Baringo County.
Despite the incident making headlines, the matter was eventually settled quietly, leaving many questions unanswered.
