Kenya Film Classification Board (KFCB) CEO Dr Ezekiel Mutua is not pleased with Lupita Nyong’o’s ‘sarcastic’ response to Najib Balala’s explanation that she was inaccessible for five years resulting in the appointment of supermodel Naomi Campbell as Magical Kenya’s international brand ambassador.
In a tweet, Dr Mutua said the Academy Award winner should have reached out, and appropriately engaged with the Tourism Cabinet Secretary. “I think the sarcasm in Lupita’s response to CS Balala is totally inappropriate. She should have picked her phone and just say “Waziri, I am here. I am ready to serve my country.” Being a global icon should come with some loyalty to your country and respect for elders!”
Sentiments whose sparks started flying January 22 when Nyong’o fired back at Balala after he defended his ministry following criticism over the supermodel’s appointment. Speaking at Kenyatta University last week, Balala stressed that Lupita was not overlooked for the role.
“I know everybody is asking why not Lupita. Lupita has commitments and her managers cannot allow us to access her. We’ve spent the last five years looking for Lupita… We have a framework to work around her and she (Campbell) accepted to do it for free. She offered herself because of her love and commitment to Kenya. We are now working on the details on how to use her promote the destination. We can have one of our own, and we already have Eliud Kipchoge. We are targeting specific markets and sectors, so we will identify brand ambassadors because of that. We use Kipchoge to market Kenya because of his vast international networks,” said Balala.
An explanation Lupita laughed off Friday, terming it as ‘alternative facts’. “Me when I hear the Kenyan Ministry of Tourism has been looking for me for five years. #Imrightherebaby #alternativefacts,” she captioned a picture of her heartily laughing, adding that, “Niko Wakanda.”
-Standardmedia.co.ke
