A photo of Kenyan politician and businesswoman Millicent Omanga being lifted by two shirtless male dancers in the United States has gone viral, stirring up reactions across social media.
The image, shared by Omanga on her official Facebook page, shows her in the company of two performers from the world-renowned Chippendales dance troupe.
Captioning the moment with, “When life gets heavy, call the Chippendales,” Omanga appeared thrilled to have met the performers.
The dancers, known for their signature look, cuffs, collars, and bow ties worn on bare torsos, are part of a touring male striptease group popular for entertaining predominantly female audiences.
But while her post was meant in good humor, it quickly triggered an online storm back home.
Some Facebook users criticised the former Nairobi woman representative aspirant, questioning the appropriateness of a married politician posing with exotic dancers.
“Male strippers?,” one commenter asked.
Another added, “This is the person expected to help deliver in government and she’s hanging out with strippers?”
However, others came to Omanga’s defense, encouraging her to enjoy her life and dismissing the backlash. “A man who can tolerate a politician wife has passed all the exams and fits to be in heaven,” wrote Gideon Mui. Another user chimed in, “They are not cheap. She was clearly having a good time.”
One comment noted that the Chippendales are popular celebrities in the U.S., especially in Las Vegas, and that women often pose for photos with them, sometimes even with their husbands present. “These people are famous actors with big shows. Women always take photos with them, even with their spouses around,” it read.
The Chippendales are a world-renowned male striptease dance troupe, famous for their signature “cuffs and collar” costume.
Founded in 1979 by Somen “Steve” Banerjee and Bruce Nahin, they pioneered the all-male strip club concept for women, quickly expanding from a single Los Angeles bar to multiple clubs and international touring shows.
Their high-energy, interactive performances have made them a popular choice for celebrations and a long-standing fixture in Las Vegas, where they currently hold a residency at The LINQ Hotel + Experience.