India, Oct. 21 -- A video showing a cyclist being chased by a man in rural Kenya has gone viral on social media, sparking debate about travel safety and the circumstances surrounding the incident. Meryem Belkihel, a French-Algerian adventurer who documents her travels under the name Meghy Lost, has now explained what happened during the encounter.

Belkihel said the viral clip was taken out of context and triggered negative comments about Kenya that did not reflect her overall experience during her three-year cycling journey across Africa. She clarified that the man chasing her was carrying a traditional Samburu wooden stick, not a machete, as many online viewers had assumed.

The incident took place in Kenya's Samburu region in August 20...