‘Nairobi Bird Man’ Sparks Health Concerns Over Close Contact With Wild Birds

Health authorities have raised concerns over the potential risk of zoonotic disease transmission after a Nairobi man popularly known as the “Nairobi Bird Man” gained widespread attention for his unusually close relationship with wild and domestic birds.

The man, 28-year-old Rogers Maguta, who lives in Nairobi’s Kayole estate, has gone viral on social media after videos showed him sharing meals with birds from the same plate and allowing them to roam freely inside his home. His unique lifestyle has attracted both admiration and criticism, with health experts warning that such close interaction with wild birds could expose both the individual and the wider public to infectious diseases.

Maguta says he has lived alongside birds for years and dismisses claims that his lifestyle poses any danger. According to him, his relationship with the birds is based on care and rescue rather than entertainment, arguing that he has never experienced any health complications despite his prolonged close contact with the animals. He also believes some of the criticism directed at him stems from misconceptions and cultural beliefs surrounding birds.

However, medical experts say the absence of illness so far does not eliminate the risk. The Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) has cautioned that close interaction with wild birds creates conditions that could facilitate the transmission of zoonotic diseases—illnesses that can spread from animals to humans.

KEMRI scientists warn that birds can carry a range of bacterial and viral pathogens capable of infecting humans, including avian influenza (bird flu) and other infectious diseases. Although Kenya has not experienced a major disease outbreak linked to such interactions in recent years, researchers emphasize that the potential for transmission remains and should not be ignored.

Health experts note that activities such as eating from the same utensils as birds, prolonged physical contact, and keeping wild birds in domestic settings increase the chances of exposure to disease-causing organisms. They caution that preventing outbreaks is far more effective than responding after infections have already spread.

KEMRI says Kenya’s disease surveillance systems have significantly improved following lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing preparedness efforts for regional health threats such as Ebola. Working alongside the Ministry of Health, the institute regularly conducts surveillance by collecting and testing samples to detect emerging pathogens before they develop into large-scale outbreaks.

Despite the warnings, Maguta says he intends to continue caring for the birds, insisting they are part of his everyday life. His story has nevertheless reignited conversations about responsible wildlife interactions, public health, and the balance between compassion for animals and the need to minimize risks associated with diseases that can spread between animals and humans.