Tax Protests: Kenyans berate Nollywood Actress Destiny Etiko for ‘insensitive’ post
Nollywood actress Destiny Etiko has faced backlash from Kenyans over a social media post they found ‘insensitive’ in light of their recent protests against proposed tax increases.
PREMIUM TIMES reported how Kenyans protested against a now-withdrawn finance bill proposing new taxes. The protests saw several deaths while many others sustained various injuries.
On Wednesday, Etiko, on her Instagram page, shared a screenshot highlighting Nigerians’ resilience in the face of their struggles.
The actress’ post read: “Nigerians are among the most patient people in the world. Looking at the situation in the country, we still wake up with smiles and continue pushing every day. Nigerians are VIPs.”
Backlash
However, Kenyans who felt the actress aimed a jab at them regarding their tax hike protests criticised and lashed out at her in the post’s comment section.
Carol Ndago advised the 34-year-old actress to stick to BBL procedures, noting that Kenyans reject any call for patience.
Another Kenyan citizen, Harriet Sellasie, suggested that the actress continue to endure Nigeria’s hardships instead of advising Kenyans.
Sellasie’s comment read: “Continue to be patient as you suffer in your motherland while a few people enrich themselves and the rest of you languish in poverty. I’m proud to be Kenyan, and we fight for what is just. Our president has conceded in the fight against the Kenyan Finance Bill. Power belongs to the people.”
Furthermore, Luvv Vanneyy emphasised that Kenyans are educated and deserve fair employment with adequate pay rather than resorting to theft and fraud like Nigerians.
“We’re not dwelling on the theft and fraud that your fellow brothers and sisters are committing here in our country. Your whole generation is flocking to our country; take them and be patient with your broken and uneducated government. Your brothers are busy stealing from older women and men. Speak for yourself”, Vanneyy said.
Like Sallasie, Vanneyy, and Ndago, other Kenyan citizens who commented criticised the Enugu-born actress, suggesting that she (Etiko) and Nigerians were unaware of their rights due to illiteracy.
Naini Esther wrote, “We always support your films and your music, but when it comes to matters concerning our country, that’s where we draw the line. You must withdraw your statement.”
Those were just a few of the comments by Kenyans on the post.
Apology
Reacting to the backlash, Etiko, who has a huge Kenyan following, clarified that she did not intend to mock Kenyans, nor was she aware of the ongoing protest.
The alumna of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka (UNIZIK), in a video shared on her Instagram page Friday, stated that she did not know the situation Kenyans were facing when she made the post.
