Kenyan businessman and TikToker Sparky Kenya has lamented losing clients following backlash over his controversial comments about Kenyans who use matatus.
In a video posted on his Instagram page, the beauty and cosmetic entrepreneur, known for his eyebrow microblading services, shared an emotional phone call with his mother, telling her he had no client appointments for the day.
“Ndio naenda job na sina client amebook. Kitu nimeenda nayo ni hope kwa sababu hao watu wote wamenipost na kusema hawatarudi kwa shop yangu, hakuna mwenye amecomplain juu ya mistreatment. Ata comments za client naona wanasema I have the best services,” he said.
Sparky appeared to be in tears as his mother reassured him that things would get better, telling him that she had prayed and reminding him that everyone makes mistakes.
The video quickly went viral, sparking a flurry of reactions online.
While some netizens cracked jokes, others criticized him heavily for his earlier remarks.
Sparky had come under fire for saying that Kenyans aged 35 and above should not be boarding matatus, suggesting it was shameful for them to queue or scramble for public transport in the rain.
“Sasa wewe 35-years-old unapanga line ya Supermetro. Hauskii haya ati unapanga line mpaka kunanyesha unapigania matatu. Because you don’t have a car,” he had said in the initial video.
The comments drew condemnation from both the public and celebrities. Comedian Terrence Creative advised Sparky to seek wisdom before addressing Kenyans, reminding him that the very people he mocked were the ones supporting his business.
“People need to pray for God to give you wisdom of changing things and talking to people. There is a guy who ametusi watu ambao wako 35-years and above for using matatus instead of having their own cars,” said Terrence.
“Ameimpose that these people are lazy ama wamelaaniwa for not having a car. Let me remind you that the same people ndio wamekusaidia kununua io gari uko nayo. Unatukana watu wamechukua matatu ili kukuja kusupport io business yako,” he added.
In response to the recent video, one Instagram user wrote, “They don’t have a car… wamepanga line ya Supermetro wanakuja. We ngoja tu, wanakuja.” Another joked, “We want an apology akiwa kwa line na ndani ya Supermetro, akienda home.”