Moroccan Cyclist Who Biked Across 33 African Countries Goes Viral After Kenyan Clip Is Misunderstood

Meryem Belkihel, known online as Meghy Lost, is a French-Algerian cyclist and content creator who spent three years pedalling solo through 33 African countries from Morocco to Ethiopia, also summiting the continent's three highest peaks along the way. In October 2026, a short clip from her journey showing what appeared to be a man chasing her along a rural road in Kenya spread rapidly across social media, sparking alarm and negative comments about travel safety in the country. CNN covered the story on 20 October 2026, revealing the fuller context: the man was a member of the local Samburu community and the moment was playful rather than threatening. Belkihel said the clip had been stripped of context and did not represent her overwhelmingly positive experience of Kenya or Africa overall. The incident drew attention to her broader journey -- a three-year expedition through 33 countries requiring enormous physical endurance -- and triggered a wave of admiration online. Comments and shares flooded TikTok and Instagram celebrating her achievement, with many users noting that the most remarkable thing about the clip was not the apparent chase but the staggering adventure it came from. The story remained in wide circulation in early November 2026 as the fuller account of her ride reached new audiences.