A group of high-profile Kenyan influencers is facing intense public criticism following a sponsored trip to Israel, a visit many online users have condemned as an attempt to whitewash Israel’s global image during the ongoing war in Gaza.
The group includes media personalities Kambua, Mwende Macharia, Caleb Karuga, Susan Grace, Mimo Karanja, Gadwilliam Kiragu Kimani and Kestin Mbogo, among others.
Details of the trip emerged this week, prompting widespread condemnation from Kenyans who said the timing and optics amounted to implicit support for Israel’s military operations.
Online, Kenyans reacted overwhelmingly, with critics arguing the visit appeared designed to “soften” Israel’s image amid what many around the world have described as a humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza.
One X user posted the phrase “The Bag Christian edition,” a comment that quickly gained traction as users mocked what they viewed as financial motivations behind the visit.
Media personality Joe Muchiri was among those who publicly criticised the group.
In a widely circulated post, he wrote, “So your favourite Kenyan influencers who have gone to Israel to ‘sanitise’ Israel to their followers are not even being paid SMH… Yaani, you are selling your souls for free flights, a passport stamp, water, food and accommodation jameni, if you are gonna sell your soul at least come back with a new house or sth.”
He added, “Anyways, we are not all the same, not every human being you see online is decent in real life… morals are a higher currency if you ask me.”
The backlash intensified after renewed discussion of paid digital content linked to the conflict.
In the US, political commentator Ana Kasparian recently highlighted reports that some American influencers were being paid up to Sh905,000 ($7,000) per post to promote pro-Israel messaging.
The revelations fuelled speculation online about the motivations behind the Kenyan delegation’s trip.
Responding to the controversy, X user @Mumbi_Wathika criticised the alleged sponsorship arrangement, writing, “I know that the gig economy is not easy, but taking money to participate in a sponsored trip to Israel by the Israeli embassy in Kenya is wildly insidious. Idk why I’m surprised though, Kenyan influencers will promote anything for the right price.”
Dissent also came from within the entertainment industry. DJ Krowbar weighed in on the trip, saying the humanitarian situation in Gaza could not be ignored.
“I don’t know a single soul from Palestine, but what Israel has done to those people is terrible,” he wrote. “Concerning my peers in entertainment and media who are doing these trips: Kenyans are watching.”
As criticism continues to mount, the influencers on the trip have yet to issue a collective public statement addressing the concerns.