Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Tourism, Najib Balala, has defended the decision to name British model and actress, Naomi Campbell, as the country’s international tourism ambassador, saying actress Lupita Nyong’o had been unreachable for the last five years.
Nyong’o, a Kenyan and Hollywood actress, in a reaction posted a photo of herself laughing on Twitter with the message: “Me when I hear the Kenya Ministry of Tourism has been looking for me for five years.”
The post was accompanied by hashtags with the phrases: “I am right here baby” and “alternative facts”.
Last week, Balala had named Campbell has Kenya’s international tourism ambassador. The announcement did not go down well with many Kenyans who questioned the minister’s decision to snub Nyong’o for the role.
In defending the decision, Balala said the Kenyan Oscar-winning actress had been unreachable for the last five years.
Balala said Campbell had taken up the role pro bono and that the government was working on the details on how to use her influence to promote tourism.
