“Si Witchcraft”: Birdman Defends His Unique Bond with Pet Eagles.

Rogers Oloo Magudha, better known as Birdman, is a Nairobi resident renowned in the CBD for the unusual sight of his pet birds perched on his shoulders.

In an interview on Friday, July 26, Birdman discussed his life and pets. He currently cares for two eagles, Johnson (2 years old) and Jamie (5 months old).

“I’m a bird rescuer. I found them when they were very young, I fed them, and we developed a bond,” he explained.

Birdman recently participated in anti-government protests and gained sympathy after being teargassed alongside his pets.

“Ni ile tu design si unajua mi hushinda toa, so maandamano ilinipata hio design. Nilikuwa nimekaa chini so mtu wa media ile design ali niona pale down, wakakuja kuni hoji,” he recounted the frightening experience.

His birds were also terrified by the teargas. “Ghafla bin vu teargas,” he said, describing how he ran to evade the gas with the other protesters. “Kwa bahati mbaya hio teargas ilinipata mguu so sikuweza kuamka.”

Despite this, Birdman emphasized the strong bond he shares with his birds. “So you see these birds, we have a bond, haziwezi nitoka. So unaona design watu walikuwa wanajaribu kuzitoa -birds- hawawezi toka.”

Many Kenyans are curious about how Birdman manages to live with his birds constantly on him. “Kusema ukweli hakuna haja mi nidanganye. Mi huwa siendi kazi. Me I’m a street boy. Na stay tu tao, kuduru ile design, hivyo ndivyo tuna survive.”

Birdman earns some money from curious onlookers who are impressed by his unique connection to the animals. “Tuna duru ama ile design si unajua ile survival ya street so unapata msee amekucheki, amekua inspired, ameona hii ni genuine, hii ni authentic, shika maziwa na mkate. They even buy the birds smokies. Yeah, they eat smokies. Hii ni flesh eater.”

Despite his unique lifestyle, Birdman faces skepticism from some Kenyans who wonder if he practices witchcraft. “Lakini mi najua nakuanga mtu tu don’t care. So at the end of the day, as long as mimi nafurahi, wale wamefikiria vibaya mi hainihusu. Juu kuna wengine wana at least kitu mi hufurahi sana, nikipita pahali lazima niache mtu amesmile. Na huwa ina ni bamba aje. Si unaona umemjengea siku.”

Article By Suzy Nyongesa.