On 20 November 2018, Victoria Kimani responded on social media after Cyprian Nyakundi blasted a photo of her and Akothee online. In a long Instagram post, the singer framed her message as a defence of women’s dignity and a call for society to change how it treats women.
Kimani wrote in Kiswahili and said women should not be reduced to insults or judged only when things go wrong. She argued that women should be recognised for their work, their struggles and the different roles they play in daily life, including as nurses, house workers, teachers, business owners, politicians, entertainers, mothers and daughters.
“what kind of a woman would she be, if she doesn’t touch on matters that affect ladies psychological, emotional and physical.”
She also pushed back against criticism directed at her public image, saying the attacks were unfair and disrespectful. In the same post, she said her music is meant to motivate women and speak about the challenges they face.
“According to a few good-minded people, all women are equal!! Why not judge me for the fruits of my work, or for the dynamics I show in daily life? Why do not you condemn me instead of judging me for evil? … The effects of disrespect, the women we know, and the ones we do not know, are that we teach the community, the senses to take care of the sisters and moms!”
Kimani added that her songs are intended to inspire change across generations. She said she had spoken at the United Nations about the importance of women having a voice in society, and insisted she was focused on her music rather than online drama.
” My poems, they give women a motivation, and I talk about the chnagamoto we are experiencing through our Life as women.”
Her post also directly addressed Nyakundi, saying she had not known him until he mentioned her and Akothee online. She ended by wishing readers peace and happiness and signed off with the message, “Respect the Woman.”
The Instagram post was shared by @victoriakimani on 14 November 2018 at 7:59am PST, and it included the tag #NOTFORSALE alongside a note that her video would be out the following day.
