Rodgers Oloo Magutha, once homeless in Nairobi, has become a viral figure after years of rescuing and living alongside injured birds. Finding purpose and relief from depression through caring for his avian companions, Magutha has rescued over 20 birds, including species such as marabou storks, cattle egrets, African sacred ibises, and barn owls.
By 2024, Magutha gained widespread attention when images of him calmly walking through massive protests in central Nairobi with a kite on his head circulated online. Today, he lives in a one-room home on the city's outskirts and has amassed tens of thousands of followers on TikTok and Instagram who watch him coexist with kites, crows, storks, and other birds.
The birds freely roam his home and accompany him as he collects scrap and recycles to earn a modest living. Magutha said, "The mission started for me to rescue them, to give them a safe space where they can stay without any disturbance, where they can feel free." He also emphasized his role in spreading conservation awareness through entertainment and stated, "I am one of a kind in this country... We can show people that everything is possible... that humans can coexist with nature."
However, Nairobi city officials have urged Magutha to release his birds after a video showing him eating from the same plate as the birds raised concerns about potential health hazards. Despite these worries, Magutha maintains that he should be appreciated for his public service, noting, "I've been living on the streets where we've been eating together, we've been sleeping together in the cold, but nothing ever happened to me." He also said, "When they are ready to be released, I release them."
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