One is a wildebeest frozen with a leg awkwardly in the air. Another is so vague that nobody online can agree which animal it is meant to be.

New animal sculptures installed at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) have become the subject of widespread ridicule on Kenyan social media this week, with users questioning their design, finish and suitability for the country's main gateway, K24 Digital and The Standard's TNX Africa reported.

'Eei Kenyans, what is this?'

The thin metal-and-wire figures, which resemble wildebeest and antelopes, appear to be part of landscaping and beautification works at the airport. They went viral after a content creator shared a night-time video questioning the installations.

"Eei Kenyans, what is this in a whole international airport?" she asked, at one point wondering whether the figures were hyenas or leopards.

Others focused on the cost. "Na ni sisi tulilipa hio bill," (And we are the ones who paid that bill) one user wrote.

Celebrities joined in. Former Sauti Sol member Savara called the structures "embarrassing", while bandmate Chimano reacted with laughing emojis.

No word on who made them

Neither outlet was able to establish who designed or installed the sculptures, how many there are, or how much they cost. The Kenya Airports Authority, which manages JKIA, had not publicly responded to the criticism by the time of publication.

Not the first statue storm

The JKIA uproar has revived a long-running debate over the quality of Kenya's public monuments:

  • In March 2019, a shaggy-maned lion at the University Way roundabout in Nairobi was mocked online. Then-Governor Mike Sonko said it was a dummy used for measurements, and it was replaced overnight with a more polished version.
  • In 2024, elephant sculptures at JKIA's Ndovu roundabout drew criticism, with aviation commentator Mohammed Hersi saying "any artist worth his salt would cringe."
  • Also in 2024, three athlete statues in Eldoret were removed overnight after residents complained they looked nothing like the athletes they were meant to honour.

What it means

For many critics, the issue goes beyond aesthetics. JKIA is the first and last thing millions of travellers see of Kenya, and the country is home to some of Africa's most celebrated sculptors and artists. Users have asked why local creatives were not given a chance to deliver work that matches the quality of Kenya's wildlife brand.

Until the airport authority explains the project, the wire wildebeest is likely to remain one of the most photographed and most mocked residents of the airport.

Photos: K24 Digital (screengrab); Kenya Airports Authority via K24 Digital. Thumbnail design: HAMASTA MEDIA.