A Chinese national stunned a Nakuru court when she confessed to rearing two tortoises to comfort her. The Chinese woman, who was charged with being in possession of wild animals without a permit, said, through her lawyer Nyaramba Lumumba, that she lived alone and often got bored but the animals made her happy. "In my client's Chinese culture, they believe that the animals are a lucky charm associated with long life and happiness," Lumumba said. Cui Xuerong was found in possession of two tortoises on October 29, at her home in Milimani Estate, Nakuru by Kenya Wildlife Services (KWS) officers. She pleaded guilty before Resident Magistrate Brenda Kituyi and asked for forgiveness.

"My client is very remorseful. She is a foreigner and did not know that she was breaking our laws because in China they keep the animals as pets," Lumumba said. He said that the accused collected the tortoises on her way from Masai Mara on a Kenya safari and has been feeding them ever since. "She is not conversant with the laws of Kenya and that is why she did not apply for a permit," he said.

Lumumba asked the court to be lenient on her since she was an important investor in Kenya. "Please be lenient on her considering that through her investment, she is helping the country's economy," he said. She was fined Sh5, 000 or a jail term of six months. She left the courtroom in tears as she watched Kenya Wildlife Services (KWS) officers take away the tortoises

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