A video of Kenyans dancing to the popular Ohangla song ‘Nyasembo’ by Odongo Swagg at a barbecue party in Galway, Ireland, has sparked a wave of racist reactions online. The video, which depicts a lively scene of Kenyans enjoying music and interacting at a social gathering, has drawn criticism from some Europeans who view the celebration as an intrusion into Irish culture.
The footage shows Kenyans celebrating with joy and camaraderie, but for some Irish and European viewers, this display of cultural expression has been met with hostility. They argue that the presence of Africans in Europe represents a challenge to their cultural norms and a visible sign of increased immigration.
Michael O’Keefe, a controversial Irish blogger, was among the first to share the video on his X account, lamenting the perceived changes in rural Ireland. His post quickly attracted a surge of negative comments, with many expressing hostility toward the Kenyan immigrants. One commenter, @SeanWaters, implied that the partygoers were dependent on welfare, while Scottish unionist Robbie Twenion nostalgically referred to a time when Ireland was less diverse, calling the current situation a “travesty.”
The racist reactions continued with another commenter, Karen Bibb, decrying what she termed “White erasure” and accusing Africans of aggressively asserting their presence in European spaces. Other comments included derogatory language aimed at the Kenyans.
Despite the torrent of negativity, some voices have defended the Kenyans and criticized the double standards of those attacking them. A Kenyan residing in Germany highlighted the irony of Europeans criticizing Africans for living in Europe while overlooking the long-standing presence of Europeans in Africa.
