Nollywood actress Destiny Etiko has faced backlash from Kenyans over a social media post they deemed “insensitive” in light of her recent protests against proposed tax hikes.
PREMIUM TIMES reported how Kenyans protested against a now-withdrawn finance bill that proposed new taxes. Several deaths occurred in the protests and many other people suffered various injuries.
On Wednesday, Etiko, on his Instagram page, shared a screenshot highlighting the resilience of Nigerians in the face of their struggles.
The actress’ post read: “Nigerians are some of the most patient people in the world. Seeing the situation in the country, we still wake up with a smile and move forward every day. Nigerians are VIPs.”
Reaction
However, Kenyans who felt the actress was attacking them regarding their protests against tax increases slammed her and lashed out in the comments section of the post.
Carol Ndago advised the 34-year-old actress to follow BBL procedures, noting that Kenyans reject any call for patience.
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Another Kenyan citizen, Harriet Sellasie, suggested that the actress continue to bear Nigeria’s hardships instead of advising Kenyans.
Sellasie’s comment read: “Continue to be patient as you suffer in your homeland while a few people become rich and the rest languish in poverty. I am proud to be Kenyan and we fight for what is right. Our President has relented in the fight against the Kenya Finance Bill. “The power belongs to the people.”
Furthermore, Luvv Vanneyy emphasized that Kenyans are educated and deserve fair employment with adequate remuneration instead of resorting to theft and fraud like Nigerians.
“We do not dwell on the theft and fraud your brothers and sisters are committing here in our country. Your entire generation is flocking to our country; accept them and be patient with their failed and uneducated government. Your brothers are busy robbing older women and men. Speak for yourselves,” 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 music, but when it comes to matters related to our country, that is where we draw the line. She must withdraw her statement.”
These were just some of the comments from Kenyans on the post.
Sorry
Reacting to the backlash, Etiko, who has a large following in Kenya, clarified that he had no intention of mocking Kenyans nor was he aware of the ongoing protest.
The former student of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka (UNIZIK), in a video shared on her Instagram page on Friday, stated that she was not aware of the situation Kenyans were facing when she made the post.
Etiko, who rose to fame for his role in ‘Idemili’, produced by Ernest Obi in 2012, noted that he did not specifically mention Kenyans in his post.
She said: “Something caught my eye and I thought, let me address it because I don’t even have time for this kind of thing. But I needed to clarify this because I want Kenyans to understand this. First of all, I’m overwhelmed and barely have time for myself. I haven’t posted anything in a while because I’ve been so busy. I had no idea Kenyans were having problems. I came across a post about what is happening in Nigeria right now, and everyone in Nigeria can attest to the situation because everyone is feeling it.
“Then I saw a post on someone’s page and I shared it. I removed the name and reposted it because it reflects what is happening and I felt it was important to share and congratulate ourselves for our strength. This morning I got a call to check what was going on. They are criticizing me for making fun of them and they are making fun of you for what? I was not aware of any problem. I was not the author of the article; it was copied from Uncle P’s page. You can still go there and check. So why am I being accused of making fun of Kenyans?”
Etiko admitted that he considered removing the video, but hesitated for fear that it could be perceived as mocking Kenyans.
The 2016 winner of the Most Promising Actress award at the City People Entertainment Awards reaffirmed her affection for Kenyans and clarified that the post was not related to them.
“I don’t even know how that post affects Kenyans. I honestly have no idea why this would worry Kenyans. I only applaud Nigerians because we are a strong people. We go through a lot every day, but we wake up vigorously and move around smiling and happy.
“Even when things go wrong, we understand. He who wears the shoe knows where it tightens the most. We understand, but we remain strong. Let’s say you are having problems or fighting; Why should that affect me in this case? Please, I want to clarify things.”
Since her debut in Ernest Obi’s ‘Idemili’ in 2012, Etiko has starred in several films including ‘My Offsprings’, ‘Billionaire Housewife’, ‘Beyond Conception’, ‘Force of Fight’, ‘Braveheart’, among others.