Bearded backpacker forced to deny he is Jesus after photos of him being ‘worshipped’ in Kenya go viral

A BEARDED backpacker has been forced to deny being Jesus after his arrival in Kenya prompted a stampeded and viral online speculation that he signified “the second coming”.

The spectacle of long-haired Daniel Christos dressed in flowing robes and carrying a staff walking barefoot around the capital has been met with an endless request for selfies and a chorus of ‘Jesus, welcome back Jesus’ since arriving in Nairobi a fortnight ago.

Sightings of the antipodean computer science graduate are being recorded on the hashtag #JesusinNairobi in order for followers to keep track of his movements.

The former software engineer from Perth announced on Facebook: “I am not Jesus! I have never pretended to be.

“Every single corner I walk on in Nairobi I have noticed someone either taking a photo or video… while hundreds of times a day I hear people calling out ‘Jesus’.”

In a television interview with channel NTV, Daniel described the attention he received as “intense” and provided a detailed family history to distance himself from any links to the Virgin Mary.

He explained how he had come to full time travelling around the world, free of material possessions after deciding that a traditional “life wasn’t for me”.

“I was getting grey hairs, and stressed and tired and hardly sleeping, I started travelling and never stopped, a much nicer way for me to live my life.”

Daniel has admitted he can understand why his looks and style of dress attracted comparisons with Jesus, and added: “But nobody really knows what Jesus looked like, we just have this picture that people put up in the church.

“To be honest I am natural, I walk barefoot and that’s the only link I have with him.

“I have got a beard, I walk barefoot and I’m happy and people see that and relate it to the picture in the church.”

And while the vast majority of the responses have been “very friendly” one picture of the long haired computer scientist on social media walking through a busy downtown street suggested he should be crucified to see if he was capable of rising again.

The idea made him “rather uncomfortable” Daniel told his Facebook friends, adding that he hoped the real Jesus would be treated “with a little more respect” if he ever landed in Kenya.

He posted on the social media site: “Kenyan people in general have been very friendly and loving.

“Until I find this photo of me circulating online.

“I feel a little concerned by this person’s comments.

“I don’t know who wrote it and I don’t know if it was just a joke or if they were serous, but it has made me a little uncomfortable to walk in the streets of Nairobi.

“I shouldn’t have to respond to such close minded nonsense but a quick message to whoever posted the photo and comment… I AM NOT JESUS! I HAVE NEVER PRETENDED TO BE.

“I am a traveller who has come to your country as a visitor, i would hope that one day if Jesus does return you treat him with a little more respect than you have treated me.”

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