Truth behind viral video of Kenyans chasing a buffalo and when it happened
After President William Ruto announced plans to import buffaloes to support Kenya’s dairy sector, a video went viral showing some individuals chasing a buffalo. The video was widely shared, with some arguing that the incident happened immediately after Ruto’s announcement. However, a fact-check has established that the viral video showing residents chasing buffaloes in Nakuru […]
A viral video showing Kenyans chasing buffaloes sparked controversy after President William Ruto announced plans to import more of the animals to boost Kenya's dairy sector. However, a fact-check established that the video was not a recent incident but linked to a human-wildlife conflict that occurred in Barut, Nakuru West, on April 5, 2025.
The footage shows residents confronting buffaloes that had escaped from Lake Nakuru National Park, leading to panic among the locals. One buffalo was shot and killed after attacking two women, and residents gathered around the carcass to collect its meat. The incident caused frustration among residents, with one questioning the response to repeated wildlife incursions, while another appealed for KWS to establish a presence in the area to address the recurring problem.
The video's original date is crucial to understanding the footage, as it should not be presented as evidence of a recent incident without independent confirmation of a new occurrence. The original report describes four buffaloes straying from the national park, one being shot after attacking women, and residents calling for measures to prevent further encounters.
Lake Nakuru National Park is a wildlife sanctuary, and visitors are advised to respect wildlife and maintain a safe distance from animals.
Written by urgent.news from People Daily Kenya's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
