KFS responds to video alleging python sighting in Karura forest

Screengrab of video depicting alleged python sighting/COURTESY

The Kenya Forest Service (KFS) has moved to address public concerns after reports of a python sighting in Nairobi’s Karura Forest went viral this week.

A video widely circulated online showed what appeared to be a massive python slithering across a murram road within the forest before disappearing into the undergrowth.

In a statement released on Friday, KFS acknowledged the circulation of the video but clarified that the authenticity of the footage and the alleged sighting are still under verification.

The agency emphasised that while pythons have indeed been spotted in the forest in previous years, citing incidents in 2019 and 2022, the current report remains unconfirmed.

"Kenya Forest Service notes that although pythons have been sighted within Karura in the past years, namely in 2019 and in 2022. The current sighting and the photo in circulation is yet to be authenticated,” the statement read in part.

As a precaution, KFS urged visitors to exercise heightened vigilance when inside the forest.

The agency also recommended that all visitors stick strictly to designated jogging and walking paths. It advised those visiting with pets to keep them on a leash at all times, restricting movement to approved tracks only.

“In case of any sighting, the matter should be reported immediately to KFS Forest Rangers located at the various gates,” the agency advised.

KFS further reassured the public that it is collaborating with relevant government agencies to explore long-term solutions to mitigate potential risks associated with wildlife encounters.

"Kenya Forest Service will collaborate with relevant government agencies to explore potential solutions to this matter and will advise the public accordingly," read the statement.

Karura Forest, covering over 1,000 hectares, is one of Nairobi’s most iconic green spaces and a treasured recreational hub.

It is renowned for its jogging and cycling trails, caves, waterfalls, and rich biodiversity, attracting thousands of local and international visitors every month.

The forest has become a symbol of urban conservation, offering city residents a serene escape into nature just minutes from the city centre.