Cyclist Meryem Belkihel Clarifies Kenya Chase Incident
A viral video from August 2025 shows the traveler fleeing an individual while cycling across Africa.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Africa
Live Poll
Do you believe viral social media clips often misrepresent the reality of travel in foreign countries?
Cyclist Meryem Belkihel has addressed a viral video showing her being chased by a man wielding a stick near the Kenya-Ethiopia border in August 2025. The footage, which gained widespread attention, was initially posted by the cyclist approximately one year before it recently circulated online.
Why it matters
The incident highlights the risks inherent in solo cross-continental travel through remote areas. Belkihel noted that local residents had previously warned her against traveling through the specific route inhabited by the Samburu tribe.
Meryem Belkihel completed a three-year cycling journey covering 33 African countries from Morocco to Ethiopia. The recorded encounter involved a 20-second pursuit by a man holding a large wood stick.
The players
Meryem Belkihel
A cyclist who completed a three-year journey across 33 African countries.
The details
Belkihel was forced to ride her bicycle at top speed to escape the man during the August 2025 encounter. She has since clarified the context of the event, which took place during her extensive multi-year transit across the continent.
Timeline
The chase occurred in August 2025 near the Kenya-Ethiopia border.
Belkihel concluded her three-year cycling journey in November 2025.
Travel Outlook
This incident follows a pattern set by the rise of viral video documentation of solo long-distance cycling travel, where remote experiences gain sudden global visibility. It underscores the challenges of navigating regions that often contrast with typical tourism itineraries.
Travelers planning cycling expeditions through remote regions should prioritize local intelligence regarding tribal lands and potential route hazards. Understanding the specific cultural context of a region can be as vital as physical preparation for long-distance transit.
The takeaway
Travelers can mitigate risks by consistently seeking advice from local residents about regional conditions before committing to specific routes. Being prepared to alter plans based on community warnings is a critical component of successful long-distance expedition travel.
Further reading
Learn more about travel safety and regional logistics in Africa.
Live Poll
Do you believe viral social media clips often misrepresent the reality of travel in foreign countries?
