Kenya Harlequins rugby player Lyle Asiligwa was found safe after a missing-person alert on Tuesday, November 20, 2018, triggered a wave of online speculation about where he had been.
The alarm began when a poster shared by Wanjiku “Shiko” Kinyanjui, who is said to be Lyle’s girlfriend, said he had last been seen leaving his home in Kabete on Monday. By noon, however, he had been traced to a friend’s home after a night out in Loresho.
The friend was identified as Eva, who was alleged online to be Lyle’s “Mpango wa Kando.” Lyle later moved to calm the situation on Twitter, writing:
I’m ok. Not to worry. — Lyle Asiligwa (@asiligwajnr) November 20, 2018
The update did little to slow the reaction on Kenyan social media, where users turned the episode into a running joke and made both Lyle and Eva trending topics. Many of the posts mocked the missing-person scare, the Loresho location, and the suggestion that the player had simply spent the night away from home.
Among the reactions shared online were jokes about Lyle’s whereabouts, references to Eva, and playful comments about how the story had exposed personal details such as his car, licence plate, and home area. One user, Eva, also posted:
Please guys, I am not “Eva Wa Loresho”? — Eva (@Mumbua_eva_) November 20, 2018
The episode ended with Lyle confirmed safe, but it left social media users with plenty of material, and the story continued to dominate conversation well after he was located.
