I totally agree. There is also another kata which suffers from this: Matrix Determinant (4 kyu).

Can't agree more

Learn how to read code before doing this kind of statement just after doing that one on another solution: you're basically saying that the SAME approach is bad and then good... (btw: using the dedicated module but not to use it in the simplest way... how could it be better???) Choose your side. Do it wisely. Or don't comment.

By the way, the present solution is absolutely awful and not at all pythonic. The other one, is...