Nairobi County Chief Environment Officer Geoffrey Mosiria has issued a 24-hour ultimatum to social media personality “Birdman,” demanding that he surrender the exotic birds in his possession to the relevant wildlife authorities or risk legal action.
The warning follows growing public concern over the welfare and legality of keeping wild birds outside licensed facilities.
According to Mosiria, the matter was brought to his attention after complaints from members of the public, including a Nairobi doctor who questioned whether the birds were being kept legally and under appropriate conditions.
In a statement shared on Facebook, Mosiria said the birds must be surrendered to Nairobi National Park for assessment and proper care, warning that failure to comply within 24 hours would prompt legal action.
“Wild animals and birds belong in the wild!!!
Keeping wild animals and birds in our homes, sharing food with them, or even eating from the same plates for the sake of creating content puts all of us at unnecessary risk. Such close contact can increase the chances of diseases spreading from animals to humans.
We must protect both wildlife and public health by allowing wild animals to remain in their natural habitats. Let us not create conditions that could expose innocent Kenyans to dangerous outbreaks or damage our country’s reputation.
Conservation is not only about protecting animals; it is also about protecting human lives. Let wildlife remain in the wild, where it belongs.
I therefore appeal to Birdman to voluntarily surrender the birds in his possession within the next 24 hours. Failure to do so may result in the relevant authorities taking appropriate action in accordance with the law.
Our forestry and wildlife teams are on standby to receive the birds or collect them and ensure they are safely returned to their natural habitat.
Protecting wildlife is everyone’s responsibility. Let us act responsibly before it is too late,” Mosiria wrote.
He further stressed that Kenya has strict laws governing the possession of wildlife and that no individual is above the law, regardless of their popularity on social media.
Mosiria’s remarks have reignited debate over the private ownership of exotic and wild animals, with conservationists noting that many bird species are protected under Kenyan law.
The Wildlife Conservation and Management Act, 2013 requires individuals and institutions keeping protected wildlife to obtain licences from the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS).
Keeping wildlife without the necessary permits can attract hefty fines, imprisonment, or both.
The controversy has also sparked mixed reactions online.
While some Kenyans backed Mosiria’s tough stance, arguing that wildlife belongs in protected habitats or licensed conservation centres, others called for authorities to first establish whether Birdman possesses the required permits before taking enforcement action.
Mosiria has increasingly become known for acting on public complaints involving environmental conservation, noise pollution, illegal dumping, and animal welfare.
Through his social media platforms, he frequently updates Nairobi residents on enforcement operations and urges the public to report activities that threaten public health or the environment.
As of the latest updates, Birdman had not publicly responded to Mosiria’s ultimatum.
It remains unclear whether the birds will be voluntarily surrendered or whether the matter will proceed to legal enforcement if the deadline lapses.
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