Torrential rains in Kenya and neighbouring international locations have induced devasting flooding in current weeks, killing lots of of individuals and displacing hundreds extra. Posts shared lots of of occasions claimed venomous snakes and crocodiles sheltered at a park in Kenya’s capital Nairobi had been washed away, warning the general public to “be vigilant”. Nevertheless, that is false: the Nationwide Museums of Kenya, which harbours the reptiles, dismissed the claims and stated the reptiles have been “securely housed”. AFP Truth Examine visited the park and confirmed venomous snakes have been housed behind thick glass-walled rooms. There have been no seen indicators of flooding or harm.
On Could 2, 2024, a Fb web page referred to as “Kenya Police Media” claimed venomous snakes and crocodiles from a snake park in Nairobi had been swept away by the heavy rains at the moment inflicting havoc in East Africa.
The publish, which was shared greater than 100 occasions on Fb, warns residents to “be vigilant”.
The declare was repeated on Fb, on X (right here and right here), on TikTok and in WhatsApp teams.
One other Fb person shared the identical declare alongside a picture exhibiting the doorway of a recreation reserve beneath water.
Torrential rains have lashed a lot of the East African area, triggering flooding and landslides which have destroyed crops, swallowed properties, and displaced lots of of hundreds of individuals (archived right here).
Whereas flooding has affected Nairobi, claims that the snakes and crocodiles from a metropolis park have been swept away are false.
The snake park in query is housed inside the Nairobi Nationwide Museum, which is situated on Museum Hill some 2.5 kilometres from Nairobi Central Enterprise District (CBD).
On Could 2, 2024, when the false posts began circulating, the Nationwide Museums of Kenya dismissed the claims in an announcement on Fb (archived right here).
“That is to tell the general public that on the Nationwide Museums of Kenya, the security and safety of all our dwell displays are paramount,” it stated.
“Every exhibit is securely housed in its acceptable enclosure, guaranteeing their well- being and preservation.”
Margaret Njeri, a spokeswoman on the snake park, instructed AFP Truth Examine: “The information circulating are (is) pretend (sic)”.
Throughout a web site go to, AFP Truth Examine confirmed the park has about 100 snakes. The venomous species are housed behind thick glass-walled rooms that stay shut.
Three Nile crocodiles and one alligator, which is 50 years outdated, are all secured behind a fence.
Njeri stated the topography of the snake park made it tough for flooding to happen as water flows proper into the Nairobi River beneath it.
AFP Truth Examine noticed no seen signal of flooding on the property or harm that will enable snakes and crocodiles to flee or be washed away.
Amid the floods, there have been native studies about snakes swept into properties in western Kenya (archived right here).
In the meantime, a reverse picture search of the publish that includes an image of a flooded recreation park entrance reveals the picture exhibits the Maasai Mara wildlife reserve. The same image was printed by native media right here (archived report).
Final week, practically 100 vacationers have been amongst folks marooned on the park after a river overflowed (archived right here).