Celestine Ndinda aka Wakavinye has urged young people to be wise when consuming content from influencers, emphasizing the importance of personal responsibility.
Speaking in a candid conversation with her friend Judy Nyawira, Celestine acknowledged that while content creators should be mindful of their influence, followers must ultimately take charge of their own choices.
This shared responsibility was something she strongly emphasized:
“It’s good to be inspired by what I promote, but be wise,” she said.
The Pressure on Influencers
Influencers are often seen as role models, setting trends in fashion, lifestyle, and wellness, especially among young people.
However, Celestine believes this puts a lot of pressure on creators, as many fans view them as the ultimate standard of success, beauty, and achievement.
“Why, why are you feeling you have to do something… if it is not in your plans?
Hear me out—if it’s not your resolution, why are you feeling the need to be like Cele? If it’s going to help you positively, then do it, but not out of pressure just because Cele is going for 10km runs.
It’s a good thing, but not just because I have done something or drank matcha… How do you know? What if that business is paying me?”
Celestine urged her followers to practice self-control and avoid making impulsive decisions based on what influencers promote.
“Sometimes I’m a brand ambassador, I’m influencing for them, which is good because, for me, I’m working. So, if my content makes you buy, the client will be happy, and I will have delivered my job.
But as a person, I don’t see why you should feel pressured. I’m a content creator, and I feel that you cannot fully blame us. As an individual, I know what is right for me, and you don’t need Cele to tell you what’s best for you.”
She also pointed out that social media can distort reality, making young people feel as though they are not measuring up to influencers’ curated lives.
“You don’t have to buy everything I am influencing—maybe that matcha I am drinking is from my uncle’s business.”
She further defended influencers, explaining that their job is to promote brands, not to pressure fans into making purchases.
“Don’t say content creators are giving you pressure. Let me defend myself—when a client works with me, my job is to sell their products.I’m not saying buy it right now.
I just want the information to be out there so that when you can afford it, when you’re ready to start the gym, you can go buy it. But don’t just buy gym wear because Cele is wearing it when you never even planned to join the gym!”
Celestine’s message serves as a reminder to fans to consume content thoughtfully and make decisions that align with their own goals and financial abilities, rather than being influenced by social media trends.
by MAUREEN WARUINGE
