“Ningewasaidia kufight corruption but sahii nafurahia niko kwa show ya Netflix.”
That single tweet from comedienne Mammito Eunice has thrown her into the eye of a social media storm. With her brand-new Netflix show Inside Job just days away from premiering, what may have been intended as a cheeky self-congratulatory joke has sparked intense backlash on X (formerly Twitter), with many Kenyans accusing her of being tone-deaf and dismissive of national issues.
In her post, Mammito quipped:
“Ningewasaidia kufight corruption but sahii nafurahia niko kwa show ya Netflix.”
It did not take long for the backlash to begin. Kenyans on X, known for their fierce and often unforgiving commentary, didn’t find the joke funny.
“Some celebrities travel light where intellectual baggage is concerned,” one user fired back.
“Bien is doing world tours, has a Grammy, and was on The Breakfast Club—and he still finds time to speak out against corruption. No one gets a free pass,” another posted.
“This year’s budget has zero allocations for the Free Maternity program. As a new mother, we expected you to be among those speaking out, not making light of it,” added another user, referencing the ongoing outrage over recent budget cuts to critical social programs.
As the criticism piled on, Mammito appeared to pivot to humor again, replying:
“Labda ningeweka emoji ya kucheka hii story haingekua refu hivi (laughing emojis).”
While the response did help ease some of the tension, others weren’t ready to move on, and swore to revisit the same another time.
Ironically, the controversy has brought more attention to the very project Mammito was celebrating. Inside Job, set to premiere on June 14, is a fast-paced crime comedy directed by Tosh Gitonga. It stars Jacky Vike and Mammito herself as two cousins who turn to crime after their housekeeper mother (or aunt) is unfairly fired without pension by a ruthless employer. Their goal? To steal back what they believe she rightfully deserves.