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| UK-based travel enthusiast and influencer Fardows is facing backlash after rating Kenya as smelly. |
UK-based travel enthusiast and influencer Fardows is facing backlash after rating Kenya as smelly. A TikToker’s comments on Kenya irked many. What did TikToker say about Kenya? In a widely shared TikTok video, Fardows lamented her stay in Eastleigh saying most Kenyans do not speak English. “The last time I was here was 10 years ago, and the smell hit me the second I stepped out of the airport. You don’t smell like flowers here,” said Fardows. Fardow also expressed shock that Kenyans have housekeepers (maids) and that the cost of living was extremely low. “One good thing about Kenya is that it is so cheap here. I went to a shop to get a drink – a large bottle- and it was very affordable. The thing that shocked me here is the fact that people have maids in the house. I did not know that it was an actual thing. I went to visit my aunt, who had a maid working there. I did not know what to say. I am not used to that,” ” said Fardows. As a Muslim, she also noted that it was refreshing to hear Adhan (the Islamic call to prayer) being recited loudly in Eastleigh, unlike in the UK. “You can hear Adhan close to the house. There are masjids (mosques) all over the place. You do not have to put an alarm on alfajir. As someone who has lived in the UK for the last 10 years, I haven’t heard Adhan recited loudly for so long. It was refreshing,” said Fardows. Reacting to the clip, irked social media users said her bad review was skewed due to her underwhelming experience in Eastleigh. ashwara.1: “I got to America and the first thing that hit me was the smell. It was so difficult for me because the smell was different.” joynersitati: “This is spiteful.” rahma: “Go to Mombasa. It’s beautiful, and the beaches are honestly stunning.” Friday: “Are you ok? Imagine saying that an entire nation smells bad. Are you mental?” ZawadiTravels: “Most Kenyans don’t live in Eastleigh except you lot… so your experience is an Eastleigh experience, not Kenyan.” Why did Fabulous apologise to Kenyans? In 2023, American rapper Fabulous was forced to apologise to Kenyans after making unflattering comments about the country. Fabulous faced backlash during his visit to Kenya when he commented about Kenya’s slow Wi-Fi and lousy phone service. Kenyans took him to task, saying his comments were degrading and a representation of how lowly Africa is perceived. He explained that the comment was a joke taken out of context.
by William Osoro