Kenyans took to social media Thursday to mock CNN for describing their country as a “hotbed of terror.”
“President Barack Obama is not just heading to his father's homeland, but to a region that's a hotbed of terror,” CNN claimed in a report on warnings militant group al-Shabab could be plotting an attack to coincide with the president's visit.
We are not a terror hotbed! #SomeOneTellCNN @mutuma_mathiu @Ma3Route @dailynation pic.twitter.com/06a2CuobEV
— MWONGELA FRANCIS (@mwongelaf)
July 23, 2015
While giving no clear evidence a large scale attack is imminent, the report included warnings intelligence experts suspect Somali militant group al-Shabab has somehow been tipped off to Obama's widely publicized visit.
"They all know he is coming," CNN cited one government insider as stating.
Kenya's government has prepared for the visit by closing roads and beefing up security. Nairobi's streets are lined with vendors selling Obama t-shirts, posters and even life sized cardboard cutouts of the U.S. president.
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While Obama is set for a warm welcome in the capital, Kenyans are less impressed with CNN's reporting. Although al-Shabab has long posed a security threat to the country, many ordinary Kenyans have taken to social media demanding the news network apologize for labeling their nation a “hotbed of terror.”
Some social media users hit back at the network, insinuating its reporting fed into negative stereotypes of Africa. On Twitter, #SomeoneTellCNN is trending worldwide.
#SomeoneTellCNN the only thing that will be 'terrorising' @POTUS is the sweet taste of nyama choma in his mouth! pic.twitter.com/A19jEPPBgd
— EatOut (@EatOutKenya)
July 23, 2015
#SomeonetellCNN look at all that terror!! via @JnttNemo pic.twitter.com/E39MnxOYpD
— Mpasho News (@MpashoNews)
July 23, 2015
Unless you are the one bringing the terror,we are a hotbed of investment opportunities & great people #SomeoneTellCNN pic.twitter.com/ewtuSqQ1VX
— Chris Kirubi (@CKirubi)
July 23, 2015
#SomeoneTellCNN the network has become a hotbed for sensationalism and misinformation. pic.twitter.com/iok9R1dwue
— Gord Macey (@GordMacey)
July 23, 2015
#SomeoneTellCNN they have their own agenda in bringing Africa down.If you have nothing to report we'll help you.You won't derail our vision
— Chris Kirubi (@CKirubi)
July 23, 2015
#SomeoneTellCNN that I have security concerns when I travel to the US as a black man.
— chief entrepreneur (@Jorammwinamo)
July 23, 2015
#SomeoneTellCNN that we're the 3rd fastest growing economy in the world terrorism doesn't define our future!!!
— Jaynique (@Mswangugakuru)
July 23, 2015
CNN seems to be that Idiotic Kid, you keep telling things over n over but they simply repeat the same mistake, #SomeoneTellCNN
— IG:Judie_Oj (@JudieOj)
July 23, 2015
@lisabagga @CNN @HonFranklinBett #someonetellCNN we are peace. we are proud of Kenya for taking the lead against #terror
— #togetherwearekenya (@morganchirchir)
July 23, 2015
This is CNN's style of reporting. #SomeoneTellCNN pic.twitter.com/TGDGWnSsHn
— Masaku (@masaku_)
July 23, 2015
Horrifying images from the #HotbedOfTerror #SomeoneTellCNN @Cosi_GM @theOGstud @xtiandela pic.twitter.com/ukvjSui5eJ
— Kamakil (@Kamakil)
July 23, 2015
yesss show them the beauty of Africa. Tired of stereotypes. @nderi_j
— Shereese ୨୧ (@lilshesh)
July 23, 2015
#SomeoneTellCNN... I couldn't resist joining the bandwagon :-) pic.twitter.com/06DWfrzPLX
— Johnson Nderi (@nderi_j)
July 23, 2015