Grammy award winning actress Lupita Nyong’o has clapped back at Tourism CS Najib Balala.
Balala on Thursday said the actress has been inaccessible for the past five years for an ambassadorial role.
According to the CS, Kenya settled for British Supermodel Naomi Campbell because Lupita’s managers could not allow the ministry to reach her.
“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,” Balala told the
Nation.
Responding to the claims made by the CS, the Black Panther actress shared a picture of herself laughing off the claims.
Dr Ezekiel Mutua [Photo: Courtesy]
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 seen by
Standard Entertainment & Lifestyle, 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!”
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Lupita Nyong’o Claps Back at Kenya Official Who Said Star Was ‘Inaccessible’ for Tourism Ambassador Role
Backlash grew online after British model Naomi Campbell was selected over the “Black Panther” star and native KenyanBrian Welk | January 22, 2021 @ 8:46 AM Last Updated: January 22, 2021 @ 9:21 AM
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Lupita Nyong’o could only laugh after the tourism minister of her native Kenya said the actress was overlooked as the country’s international tourism ambassador because she’s been “unreachable.”
Backlash mounted online last week when Kenyan tourism minister Najib Balala picked British model Naomi Campbell as ambassador, representing the “Magical Kenya” brand.
In response, many people asked why someone like Nyong’o, who was born in Mexico but raised in Kenya since she was a toddler, could not have been selected instead. Balala said at a public event this week that Nyong’o had been unreachable for the past five yea
THE STANDARD By
Sara Okuoro |
January 22nd 2021 at 16:27:57 GMT +0300
Award winning Hollywood actress Lupita Nyong o.
Lupita Nyong’o has reacted to a statement by Tourism Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala claiming that she has been “inaccessible” for five years.
British supermodel Naomi Campbell was appointed the Magical Kenya International Tourism Ambassador by CS Najib Balala on January 12.
Naomi’s appointment stirred debate with opposers saying a Kenyan should have gotten the job.
British supermodel Naomi Campbell with Tourism CS Najib Balala. [Photo: Ministry of Tourism]
“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,” said CS Balala on Friday at Kenyatta University.