Kiki Nyingi: Top Kenyan Celebrity Clout Chasers Of 2023

• A section of Kenyan celebrities employ clout as a marketing strategy for upcoming projects
• It typically involves creating a scandal for publicity and then hinging on it to push projects
• Some of the celebrities accused of being clout chasers include comedian Eric Omondi and Baha

Is clout the new showbiz?

Below are some of the kings and queens of clout chasing in 2023.

Paul Alela Chesoli

In February, what seemed like a viral dream wedding proposal by Paul Alela Chesoli turned out to be a marketing gimmick.

Chesoli, at first, earned sympathy after photos of him proposing and being turned down by his crush went viral.

However, he rubbed social media users the wrong way after a proposal video emerged and was scrutinised further.

It revealed that Chesoli proposed wearing a reflector jacket from a motorbike dealership that later offered him a brand ambassadorial role.

The development did not sit well with most users, who lashed out at Chesoli, accusing him of using the proposal as an attention-seeking endeavour.

Baha and Georgina

Baha and Georgina's 'scamming scandal' in June was an elaborate marketing plan made for YouTube. This is according to critics.

It all started after Nurse Judy exposed Baha for allegedly scamming her.

Judy accused the former Machachari actor of conning her out of KSh 20,000 while claiming he was on the verge of being evicted. He denied the claims, forcing Judy to reach out to Georgina, who distanced herself from the scandal.

But just as the scandal heated up Baha, Georgina dropped a bombshell.

They were featured in a song titled Don't Give Up by Jovial and Lexsil, forcing many to question the timing of the exposé.

Eric Omondi

Comedian Eric Omondi was at the eye of the storm in May after singer Nadia Mukami and rapper Khaligraph Jones called him out for clout chasing.

Omondi irked Nadia and Khaligraph after he aimed at Kenyan musicians, claiming they were below par.

To support his assertion, Omondi shared a promo video of a project that he was featured in with famous socialite Amber Ray.

Nadia and Khaligraph did not mince their words as they hit back at the comedian, accusing him of deviating from activism to attacking musicians.

The two accused Omondi of demeaning and trashing Kenyan artists. They said his clout-chasing antics were one of the reasons the government does not take the industry seriously.

Omondi later apologised and vowed 'to end clout chasing'.