This archive report was first published on 24 August 2019.
Kenyan woman Akinyi, 25, has captured the hearts of viewers in the US reality TV show '90 Day Fiancé: Before the 90 Days', which premiered this month on the TLC channel.
According to the show's format, couples with one American and one foreign partner meet online, often without having met in person. The show follows their journey as they meet in person, apply for a K-1 visa, and decide whether to get married.
A K-1 visa allows the foreign fiancé or fiancée to enter the United States for 90 days, during which the couple must get married and apply for a green card. If they fail to get married within the 90-day period, the foreigner must leave the US.
Benjamin, a 33-year-old divorced father from the US, met Akinyi online after a 'miserable' experience dating women in Phoenix, Arizona. He was immediately smitten with the Kenyan beauty and decided to take a chance on love despite their cultural differences.
Benjamin had his doubts about Akinyi's authenticity and asked her to take a picture of herself doing the Vulcan salute from Star Trek. Impressed by her uniqueness, he knew she was the one after their video chat.
Akinyi, who has 'never dated a white guy', was charmed by Benjamin's humor and told him he was 'pretty fly for a white guy'. The couple's love story is a testament to the power of love transcending cultural boundaries.
