I talked to a Kenyan guy awhile back. Blah blah blah, I say they are known for elite marathon runners. Then, dude says those guys are all from a different tribe. He didn't take it as a positive comment nor did he take any national pride. It was like he did not associate or want to be associated with dudes from another tribe, even though he was from the same country. He wasn't insulted, but just lacked any enthusiasm about it.
true. just as all the great ethiopian runners are from one tribe, the kenyan situation is even crazier. all the great kenyan runners are from the Kalejin tribe. they are a minority nilotic speaking tribe. the majority of kenya are bantu-speaking. hence the reason the kenyan you ran into is probably salty.
the oromo are at least a huge majority tribe in ethiopia that number over 40 million. the kalejin are barely 5 million strong.