Kenya ‘Birdman’ Is Internet Hit but Worries Health Officials

Kenya ‘Birdman’ is internet hit but worries health officials

A formerly homeless man in Nairobi has become a viral sensation after years of rescuing and living with injured birds, but authorities are worried about disease risks.

Kenya 'Birdman' is internet hit but worries health officials

Rodgers Oloo Magutha found purpose and an escape from the depression of living on the streets by caring for his avian friends. By 2024, he was living in central Nairobi when massive protests erupted all around him, and images of Magutha walking calmly through the unrest with a kite on his head made him an internet sensation. He now has a one-room home on the outskirts of the city, as well as tens of thousands of followers on TikTok and Instagr…

Nairobi’s “Birdman” Captivates the World—but Health Experts Raise Serious Concerns Over Disease Risks

In the bustling heart of Nairobi, a man who once wandered the streets as a homeless individual has transformed into an unlikely symbol of compassion and resilience. Rodgers Oloo Magutha, affectionately dubbed the “Birdman of Nairobi,” has spent years rescuing, nurturing, and living alongside injured birds, earning him a global following and a unique place in the city’s cultural landscape. Yet, behind his viral fame lies a growing debate: Is his …

Kenya's Viral 'Birdman' Worries Health Officials

A formerly homeless man in Nairobi has become a viral sensation after years of rescuing and living with injured birds, but authorities are worried about disease risks. Rodgers Oloo Magutha found purpose and an escape from the depression of living on the streets by caring for his avian friends. By 2024, he was living in central Nairobi when massive protests erupted all around him, and images of Magutha walking calmly through the unrest with a kit…