Kenyans Defend Azziad After Alai Questions Govt Appointment

Kileleshwa Member of County Assembly (MCA) Robert Alai expressed doubt over TikTok star Azziad Nasenya's appointment as a member of the Creatives Technical Committee.

Taking to Twitter on Saturday, February 11, Alai noted that even though he appreciates and respects her three-year explosive rise to fame, he confessed to not knowing if she is competent for the government job.

He further raised questions regarding her serious knowledge of Kenya's creative economy as well as her identification of talents across the board.

In an apparent attack on Sports Cabinet Secretary (CS) Ababu Namwamba and by definition, President William Ruto's government, Alai believed that there were better people suited for the role than Azziad, whose names he did not mention.

"I love and respect Azziad. However, I don’t know her competence. 

"Beyond TikTok dancing, I don’t understand what serious thing she knows about the creative economy or even identifying talent. We have enough Kenyans who know much more about this. I can share some names," he wrote.

His sentiments triggered an uproar, with Kenyans citing Azziad's accolades and experience with creatives in the current digital space, given that she has been a beneficiary of the period of the highest internet traffic in the modern era; during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Experience doesn't come by reading books alone. We have experts who have never gone to school. Azziad understands the dynamics of how to earn from such platforms," Macharia Wangui replied

"The girl has more credentials than just dancing. Find her and ask. She will add value," added Stephen Nyabwa.

"It’s not a matter of skills or experience. It’s a fresh, young, clever, enthusiastic, engaged brain bringing a fresh perspective. She will do great," ex-Nation Media Group (NMG) editor-in-chief Mutuma Mathiu weighed in.

Azziad was appointed alongside singer Wahu Kagwi, veteran radio and TV personality Jimmi Gathu, actress Catherine Kamau and Esther Akoth (Akothee) to the committee, which is chaired by Churchill Show host, Daniel Ndambuki, for a period of three years.

"The role of the committee will be to propose reliable systems for the seamless and accountable collection and distribution of royalties to all creatives;

"Additionally, propose implementation frameworks for the creatives economy plan," read a Gazette notice by CS Namwamba in part.

The team will also manage the National Creatives Awards (Kenyan Grammys), deploy the digital space in talent search, identification, nurturing and exposure as well as establish a robust framework to monetize the creatives sector to expand employment opportunities and support Kenya’s economic growth;

They will also advise on the Masterplan for upgrading arts facilities and infrastructure countrywide to international standards, develop a framework to anchor and promote Kenya as a top film-making destination; and consider and propose legislative and policy measures for the growth of the Creative Economy.

Azziad's prominence can be traced to as far back as 2020 when her TikTok video doing the Utawezana challenge spread like wildfire across the country. She is also a radio presenter at Soundcity Radio in Kenya.

Content creator, Azziad Nasenya at Nyayo National Stadium on December 12, 2022. /INSTAGRAM.AZZIAD NASENYA