This archive report was first published on 6 August 2020.
Kenyan singer Esther Akoth, popularly known as Akothee, has been a vocal advocate for social media accountability, encouraging her fans to be genuine in their online interactions.
However, in a surprising move, Akothee has announced a social media purge, unfollowing several celebrities, including South African-based Ugandan businesswoman Zari Hassan.
According to Akothee, the decision to unfollow was a necessary step to 'get fresh air' and surround herself with people who genuinely have her back.
"It doesn't have to be breaking news when I decide to unfollow some of my colleagues in the industry of social media, it's a way of getting fresh air. I don't know how to pretend and this day had to come," Akothee said.
She further emphasized that she would no longer defend people who don't reciprocate her support, stating, "Some of them I would defend with my uterus when they are attacked, but they will not come to my rescue when it's my turn. They will coil their tail and come back when the storm is calm, but I understand, maybe they fear bloggers or they have underlying issues."
Akothee has urged other celebrities to follow her lead and unfollow those who don't genuinely support them, saying, "If you can't share my work, don't share my videos too. Some of them I sent my songs every time I released a song, not even one day will they post my song, they will tell me 'Ooh, I will post on the weekends' and that ends like that."
Despite Akothee's efforts to encourage genuine online interactions, Zari Hassan has reciprocated by unfollowing Akothee without giving any reasons.
The two celebrities, both single mothers of five, had previously sparked their friendship with Akothee camping at Zari's page to encourage and wade off negative energy, and Zari reciprocating.
Published on August 6, 2020, at 2:38 PM EAT.
