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Tourism Cabinet Secretary, Najib Balala has defended the decision to appoint British supermodel Naomi Campbell as Magical Kenya’s international tourism ambassador.
The move caused outrage among a section of Kenyans, who said the Tourism Ministry should have, instead, picked award-winning Kenyan Hollywood actress Lupita Nyong'o.
Defending the decision on Thursday, CS Balala said his ministry was targeting specific markets and industries. He added that they have been trying to get in touch with Lupita for the past five years in vain.
"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," CS Balala said while speaking at Kenyatta University.
Campbell, 50, is expected to help market Kenya as an ideal tourism and travel destination.
“We welcome the exciting news that Naomi Campbell will advocate for tourism and travel internationally for the Magical Kenya brand,” Balala said last week.
Campbell, who has been vacationing in Kenya since mid-December, commended the government for improving infrastructure at the Coast including the upgrading of Malindi Airport to international standards, saying this will boost tourism in the region.
“I am also impressed with the world-class standard facilities at the Professional Golf Association (PGA) Baobab course located in Vipingo Ridge, the only golf course accredited by the PGA in the whole of Africa. I invite golf professionals globally to visit the course to enjoy the experience,” she said.
She has been staying at Billionaire Resort in Malindi, Kilifi County since she arrived in the country on December 15th.
Her arrival was seen as a major boost to the tourism sector, which has been devastated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Comments
Rupita is not a perfect match for the high profile job of promoting Kenya’s tourism overseas!
you can reach her through the dad
Reach her through the dad? Is he the one looking for the job? Give me a break!
Just improve the tourist experience and forget these gimicks.
@ Guest 13, you are avoice of wisdom. Its does not matter who,or how it is said,Matumbo cannot be better than Nyama choma(Sorry matumbo connoisseurs/lovers)A good product will sell.Ads for a "worthless"product will shorten its shelf life .
Could it be possible Lupita was not willing to show a little chest and leg so she could not qualify. Lupita hataki ujinga Balala.
http://www.mwakilishi.com/article/kenya-news/2021-01-12/british-supermo…
@ mugikuyu,i just checked what's on that link,and I would say,it sure beats watching elephants,and monkeys frolicking in the wild...
Lol no doubt. I saw another pic where they are both taking a selfie. Guess that did it for the resume.
You don’t understand what Balala is saying. In other words, ANAJIFANYA. Period.
@ Dan Komen, I would say that you are "SImplifier Extraordinare".Hey,Mwakilishi should start consulting you on social matters that wananchi have hard time decoding...
I met Lupita once in DC. She was nice but alittle standoffish but I’d still show the pipe game. She would’ve been the right girl to represent Kenya. They should hire me, I’ll do it for half the price.
I think Lupita should start a charity back home, at least make a positive impact
Naomi is bigger fish, has more exposure, is more polished, than Lupita. Plus Naomi is also African...it is all good.
Lupita is useless, she has never vacationed in Kenya since her found fame, she would rather be seen in Mexico resorts than Mombasa. Naomi has made Kenya her destination vacation spot for years. Lupita kujifanya and her childish twitter doesn't deserve to be Kenyan Ambassador period!
More Europeans vacation in Kenya than Americans! So it make more sense to have Naomi represent Kenya in the tourist industry!
Rupita is consumed by the luo arrogance to represent Kenya! She is too American 🇺🇸 In her mannerism! She does not want to be identified with Africa.