Summary
In Eldoret, Kenya, local authorities faced a backlash after unveiling statues meant to celebrate the town’s athletic heritage. The statues, intended to honor prominent athletes, instead attracted widespread criticism on social media for their poor quality and resemblance. The controversy led to the statues being removed under the cover of darkness just before the city’s official elevation ceremony. The incident occurred amidst a celebration of Kenya’s success at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where the country excelled in athletics.
Key Points
- The city of Eldoret unveiled statues to celebrate its athletic and agricultural heritage.
- The statues were intended to represent notable Kenyan athletes but faced significant mockery on social media.
- The backlash was intense, leading to the removal of the statues before Eldoret’s city status ceremony.
- Criticism focused on the statues’ poor craftsmanship and lack of resemblance to the athletes they were supposed to honor.
- The controversy occurred on the same day that Eldoret was officially designated as a city, during a ceremony attended by President William Ruto.
- Kenya had recently been the highest-ranked African nation at the 2024 Paris Olympics, with notable performances from athletes like Faith Kipyegon and Eliud Kipchoge.
