THE NATION (Nairobi, Kenya) 01 February 07 Case Disrupted As Snake Slithers Into Courtroom (Daniel Nyassy And Kennedy Lumwamu)
Nairobi: Protocol was momentarily forgotten when a snake slithered into a Malindi court.
Acting senior principal magistrate Joshua Kiarie, who was presiding over a theft case, was among those who fled when the snake made its way into court Number One at about noon.
Court attendants, advocates, litigants, journalists and police officers were not left behind either. But some officers cocked their guns, thinking there was trouble outside the court.
A court clerk, Mr C. Mororo, said court business was proceeding smoothly but all hell broke loose when the snake, a harmless green mamba, found its way into the courtroom.
Mr Alex Mwashanga, who was in the dock to answer theft charges, was the first to notice the serpent. He shouted: "Snake! Snake!" prompting those in the courtroom to dash out.
The commotion disrupted business in the other courtrooms.
The 1.5-metre snake was finally killed by an officer who crushed its head with his boots.
Case Disrupted As Snake Slithers Into Courtroom