When the Tourism ministry announced British supermodel Naomi Campbell as the international ambassador for Magical Kenya, a large section of the Kenyan online community questioned why the govt could not have gone for a Kenyan face.
Given her target audience, some saw Naomi as a natural fit for such a role, but others wondered why we did not go with Lupita Nyong’o.
This led to a case of ‘he said, she said’ between Tourism minister Najib Balala and the Oscar-winning actor, with the former claiming the latter was inaccessible for 5 years.
Read: Lupita Responds To Balala, Accuses Him of Lying
Lupita laughed off Balala’s claims and the issue soon simmered down.
Fast forward to about a month later and those who were against Naomi Campbell being Magical Kenya international ambassador appear to have been vindicated.
In her first post promoting Kenya since her appointment in January, the 50-year-old shared a stunning video showcasing Magical Kenya but used a Nigerian song as its soundtrack.
The model’s caption was also all about Kenya and therefore, it would have been appropriate to accompany the video with a Kenyan song.
Naomi, however, went with the song,’ In My Maserati’ by Nigerian hitmaker Olakira, sparking backlash from some Kenyans on social media.
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Media Personality and NRG radio presenter Mwalimu Rachel was among the first to point out Naomi snubbed Kenyan music acts
She wrote: “Live and Die in Africa by @sautisol would have made a more fitting soundtrack to this beautiful footage.”
“Wow, I was hoping you could have used a Kenyan Soundtrack as well..” said another Instagram user.
A third wrote: “That song is good but we can sell Kenya with Kenyan songs I have a few suggestions if you like.”
‘Kenya has soundtracks you can use as well,” shared another Kenyan.
Another expressed her disappointment saying: “The background song is a letdown ?’
“Bro why couldn’t you use a Kenyan track lol ??????? We actually have good tracks kindly do your job properly ✨” another comment reads.
“Is anyone not going to notice the fact that she’s used a Nigerian song? Ama it’s not important?” posed another.
One IG user blasted Campbell: “Mushenzi(idiot), the video is too basic, you have used Nigerian song to promOte Kenya?!! Things of this earth, meeting has defeated!”
“Come on we’ve got awesome kenyan tracks. Feels like you’re marketing Nigerian culture,” another observed.
Kenya’s transgender fashion stylist Letoya Johnstone added: “Dear sweet @naomi I hope you used Kenyan music on the background. This is said in humility. We are all Africans and we love our African music however, I feel that this was for Kenya and her musicians tunes could have been awesome. Just my humble opinion sweetie ❤️”
Some more reactions from the no-nonsense Kenyans on Twitter.
I’ve removed that silly song from Naomi Campbell’s video of Kenya. This is better!!
We won’t be disrespected like that??? pic.twitter.com/B8j8iqX7xv— Lumumba wa Eduvast (@e_lumumba) February 24, 2021
Naomi Campbell using a Nigerian song to market Kenya’s tourism pic.twitter.com/uvnbkGLVwk
— Tired Kenyan (@Xmalcomme) February 24, 2021
Y’all hating on Naomi Campbell latest video ? marketing Kenya to be the tourist destination ,Just because of a Nigerian song that y’all been dancing on while clubbing every weekend. Save us some slack and direct your bile elsewhere. We can uplift others not necessarily a kenyan
— KabarakFinest001 (@KabarakFinest01) February 24, 2021
Haha Naomi Campbell actually did a video marketing Kenya and used a Nigerian song as a bedtrack ?
Na venye Kenyan musicians walimtetea online when we were questioning her capacity for Shithousery???
— Steve Ruigu Njuguna (@Joashnjuguna) February 24, 2021
Walisema Naomi Campbell anafanya hii kazi pro-bono. Wacha achague Music yake basi. Si ni free. Kwani mtaambia mtu vile awafanyie free promotion. ??
— BRAVIN YURI (@BravinYuri) February 24, 2021
We have great songs in kenya that Naomi Campbell could have used in her Video experience in Kenya..
This is Better ??? pic.twitter.com/rH18uor9Af
— UntitledHK (@UntitledHK) February 24, 2021
Kenyans have expressed their disaffection after Supermodel Naomi Campbell posted a video promoting Magical Kenya using a Nigerian song.
Many Kenyans were left wondering why she did not consider using a Kenyan song to promote the countries tourism destination. pic.twitter.com/NPNI20c3en
— Fact Zone Africa (@FactZoneAfrica) February 24, 2021
Some people don’t know that Naomi Campbell took up the role to promote Tourism in Kenya for Free??
— Madam Sarah⚡ (@OumaSarah1) February 24, 2021
…so Naomi Campbell decided to promote Olakira using Kenya’s sights…wonders of foolishness now Lets wait for Caroline Mutoko to justify?…@CarolineMutoko
@tunajibu
@Nairobi_News— Shaggy (@Code035) February 24, 2021
Naomi campbell marketing kenya with naija music???
— stuxnet (@Kamtu_Ka_Chai) February 24, 2021
Naomi Campbell used “In My Maserati” in that video of hers pic.twitter.com/jloDch5Cvl
— BOYOT ? (@Kevlan_) February 24, 2021
Naomi Campbell after pocketing money from Balala pic.twitter.com/wjbiyzZ4RU
— Hames (@jeymez) February 24, 2021
