Racism in sports reared its ugly head in Kenya with the national rugby 7s team debutante William Reeve becoming a target.
Reeve, a British army officer based in Nanyuki, was among new faces, who featured for the Shujaa over the weekend in the New Zealand sevens recording an improved performance.
Despite missing the main cup quarters for the third time this season, the team showed a lot of promise – powering their way to the Challenge Cup final where they lost to England.
But according to one Twitter user @Eaglestooth, the Kenyan-born was sh***** and only made the coach Paul Murunga’s squad because of his skin color.
“This #Kenya7s;@William72399610 player is just shit! He’s just in the team coz he’s white. 0 skill…yet hundreds were overlooked for him!” reads the tweet, which was roundly condemned.
“It’s great to see that Kenya’s can stand strong together,” Reeve responded.
Kenya Sevens Tweeted; “William, wewe ni wetu! (you are one of us) Don’t let anyone make you think/feel otherwise! ??”
https://twitter.com/RugbysUnion/status/1089606486924410880
“Go William! They have no idea about the courage and sacrifice it takes to put on any rugby shirt let alone the great Kenyan one! This growing squad did us proud and we know there’s lots more to come from you guys. We will stay tuned and colour blind???????????,” tweeted, Andrew M Musiga.