Kenyans on X, formerly known as Twitter, have expressed their rage at a lady who noted that Africa has substandard roads and that unroadworthy vehicles are often allowed to use the roads.
It all started from a post by renowned British media personality, Piers Morgan, who took to his X account to express his shock and grief at the death of Kenya’s Marathon runner Kelvin Kiptum.
In his post, Piers Morgan stated, “Incredibly shocking & saddening news that superstar Kenyan runner Kelvin Kiptum, who recently smashed the world marathon record, was tipped to break 2hr barrier, & due for epic Paris Olympics showdown with Eliud Kipchoge, has been killed in a car crash aged just 24”.
Owing to his influence and large following on the platform, comments started coming from people in various parts of the world reacting to the news about Kiptum’s death.
Among those who commented was the lady named Odette Mason who gave a generalized assertion that “African roads are perilous, and the vehicles driven are often not road worthy”.
“Did this car accident happen in Kenya Piers? The African roads are perilous, and the vehicles driven are often not road worthy. Very sad indeed,” Odette Mason commented to the Piers Morgan post.
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But her comment ended up provoking Kenyans on X who were quick to point out that poor roads was not necessarily the cause of the accident.
Kenyans React to Comment on African Roads
Some accused her of having a generalized perception about Africa and affirmed that Kenya had one of the best road networks in Africa.
“Are you implying that accidents don’t take place in the West? “Abuga Makori, a blogger, commented.
“Accidents never happen in the UK? Stop embarrassing yourself,” another user stated.
In addition, a section of X users who interacted with the post went on to share photos of modern road infrastructure including the Nairobi Expressway to show the state of roads in the country.
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“I know your comment comes from a good place, but Kenya genuinely has some of the best roads in Africa,” a user named T-req commented while quoting photos of highways in Kenya.
Another noted, “Kenya has one of the best road networks in the world, have you been there?”
And the comments came from users spread in different parts of the world, some with bile and sarcastic in nature and with a few who supported her observation that Africa indeed had challenges in road network and the state of vehicles using various roads.
Police were yet to make public the cause of the accident that claimed the life of Kelvin Kiptum and his coach.
In the Sunday, February 11, crash, Kiptum and the coach died on the spot to send Kenya into mourning.
