The online argument between Kenyan users on X (KOT) and their South African counterparts (Mzansi Twitter) has escalated to a continental level as people from different African countries join in on the memes, stats, banter and comparisons.

The hostility started on Sunday, October 4, 2026 when South African X user Vuthondaba Sibeko warned his Kenyan peers not to start an online “twar”; which would see them dig up dirt on each other and not come out good.

However, the warning came too late as Kenyan users had already started the online bar fight that has since gathered momentum and involved other African nations.

Since Sunday, users from both sides have been sharing far and wide on stats, culture, economy, land, politics, sport, history and almost everything else that is perceived to be different by the two sides. In addition, the online feud has caught the attention of many other African countries with some users joining in on the fun while others have used the platform to share their thoughts on the matter.

While the X war between KOT and Mzansi Twitter has so far been a ‘virtual’ one; with most comments and posts being made on the social media platform, there are allegations that some issues raised are either controversial or delving into matters of race and public health.

The latest online banter between the two groups of users started with comments and questions about Zimbabwean businessman Wicknell Chivayo, who died in a helicopter crash on September 30 in Zimbabwe together with his wife.

According to reports on the feud, the conversation took a decisive turn when the South African users joined in on the discussion about the worth and influence of Chivayo; a close friend of President William Ruto and whose net worth is said to be in billions of monies.

It was at this point that some Kenyan users started taking jabs at the South Africans before the online discussion took a continental turn as users from other African countries joined in. It was only then that Sibeko changed the script and started slamming the Kenyan users after his initial warning message.

“Kenyans want a twar with South Africa. It won’t end well for them,” Sibeko wrote on X.

Thereafter, the Kenyan users started sharing memes and posts ridiculing South Africa and comparing it with Kenya. In short order, the initial conversation about Chivayo took a life of its own as every other user who spotted the discussion joined in.

A familiar KOT-Mzansi rivalry

It is not the first time that Kenyan and South African users have been at each other’s throat over matters Kenya vs. South Africa. In the past, the #SomeoneTellSouthAfrica hashtag was trending after comments by South Africa’s Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula about Kenyan athletes.

Another example is the online discussion which started in 2020 with a comment by an unknown South African user about the skin colour of Kenyan people; which later had the #KenyavsSouthAfrica trending.

However, unlike in the past when the discussion was about specific issues, the current one has gone beyond just one subject as both sides continue to throw punches, exposing faults and hypocrisy on either side.

Some users have been accused of using stereotypes and sensitive issues to provoke a reaction from the opposition.

In addition to the discussion trending on the social media platform, the banter has attracted attention from many outside Kenya and South Africa. Users from Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Uganda, Senegal and many other African countries have joined or are commenting on the online feud.

In addition, on Sunday, October 7, a number of South African topics were trending on X with “Kenyans” making it to the list.

Despite the controversy around it, the Kenya vs. South Africa X war rages on as users from either side continue to throw barbs at each other with many more watching and participating from outside.