Azziad Nasenya Counters Criticism On State House Visit After Losing Govt Job

Kenyan TikTok star, radio host and influencer, Azziad Nasenya on Saturday, June 10 addressed the attention she amassed after her position in the Talanta Hela Council and Technical Committees was revoked by Sports Cabinet Secretary (CS) Ababu Namwamba.

Speaking to YouTuber Vincent Mboya, Azziad noted that her explosive rise to fame during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 with her Utawezana challenge on TikTok has turned her into a modern-day celebrity that has grown used to criticism and attention at every turn.

Azziad's name went viral immediately after her appointment to the committee was revoked by Namwamba, specifically doing away with a Gazette notice on the appointments on February 10, 2023, without explanation, despite the initiative launched on Friday, June 9 at State House, Nairobi by President William Ruto at an event she attended.

Other than losing her position in the Talanta Hela creatives committee, she has been trending over her trips to Dubai and in one instance over a pair of shoes, she was spotted wearing, which happened to match those of CS Namwamba.

Collage of Azziad Nasenya in Dubai and Sports CS, Ababu Namwamba in her office. /VIRALTEAKE

The defiant online celebrity noted that despite the developments, she would continue living life on her own terms.

"It's been life, I trend almost every other month, I just live, and nothing changes," she stated.

"Stories are many, but you know what we move on regardless. One thing that I always say people should notice is that till now people talk and talk and talk. But things keep moving I keep soaring. I keep getting to heights that I never knew I would get to. Imagine it's God, and if He has said yes no one can say no, no matter who you are."

To those frustrated by her newfound status, Azziad advised her followers not to project their anger onto her warning that they will have blocked their chances to prosper.

She encouraged Kenyans to seek divine intervention and express confidence in their craft, adding that what you do unto others shall also be done to you.

"People are mad. But it's fine, it's okay to be mad if you are mad you project it on me, at the end of the day you have blocked your own blessing.

"So small small jealousy should not make you block yourself from your blessings. But also it's life, imagine not everyone is gonna love you move with the ones who love you," she added.

Azziad also opened up on four policies that she stands by in her day-to-day life; including financial policies.

"My rules are always four. Pray to God, work hard, do not just work hard, work smart, it's very important, mind your business, learn to mind your business.

"If it does not bring value to you as an individual or make you a better person, or add zeroes to your bank account, it's not worth minding. and lastly, imagine choosing kindness," she shared her tips.

The influencer also offered pieces of wisdom to other artistes in the creative space, encouraging them to establish other sources of income outside the internet so that they are able to sustain themselves when things crumble.

"As much as you are doing things on the internet, do not depend on that entirely. If you can invest outside, if you can do other things.

"I always say do not put all your eggs in one basket because you just never know. You could wake up another day and there is another app that is doing way better than TikTok or the internet is shut down," she went on.

When questioned about the 15 per cent tax proposal for content creators in the Finance Bill 2023, Azziad expressed that the percentage was a bit higher and should be reduced. However, she agreed that it was important for every earner to pay taxes.

"As a citizen, everyone should pay taxes, I always pay taxes. I just feel it's a bit on the higher end, if it's reduced then the better because every citizen as long as you are above 18 and have a job should be paying taxes," she continued.

The National Assembly’s Finance Committee cited the 15 per cent digital tax for content creators among seven contentious issues in the Finance Bill that it considered as most contested during its eight days of public participation hearing.

Reports indicate that the legislators may opt to either reduce the percentage to 5 per cent or do away with the digital tax altogether. The Committee is slated to table the Finance Bill 2023 on Tuesday, June 13, in Parliament.