Nairobi — New West Ham signing and England midfielder Kalvin Philips has caused a stir among netizens in his first interview as a West Ham United player, choosing Kenya as his favorite travel destination.
Philips has completed a loan move to West Ham from champions Manchester City until the end of the season, as he looks to find more game time after struggling for equal time at the Etihad.
When West Ham’s social media team asked him to choose his best travel destination, without crying, he replied ‘Kenya’.
He also chose steak as his favorite dish, and many Kenyans cheekily said he meant “Nyama choma” but couldn’t find the right words.
Philips was in Kenya in July 2022, just before his move to Manchester City from Leeds United was announced.
“The last two weeks we traveled to Kenya on safari which was an experience I don’t think we will ever be able to match!! Me and @ashhbx love animals so having the chance to do some our best, David Attenborough, is something we “I will never forget. Seeing these animals in the wild was unreal!” Philips posted on his Instagram page.
He enjoyed the holiday with his partner Ashleigh Behan and stayed at Finch Hattons Luxury Camp located in Tsavo.
Among those who reacted to the publication of West Ham’s X account were the Kenya Tourism Board and the United Kingdom High Commission in Kenya.
