On a light note: The world discusses Kenya’s social problem

Rarely do Kenya’s social news find the kind of favour that this business of socialites has. Here, reactions to the Vera Sidika story, and a few tips from the country’s leading social and business commentators:

The BBC: Skin lightening is under the spotlight in Kenya after a well-known socialite, Vera Sidika, revealed she has spent tens of thousands of dollars on the treatment - prompting the hashtag #BleachedBeauty.

Vera Sidika is sometimes dubbed “Kenya’s Kim Kardashian”, as, like Kardashian, she is famed for posting photos of her voluptuous backside on social media. But this time, it’s not her bottom that’s under scrutiny…. Fascinating”, “astounding” and “hypocritical” is how TV host Larry Madowo describes the reaction on social media.

Many men in Kenya do indeed prefer light-skinned women, he says - referring to them affectionately as “yellow, yellow”. Dark-skinned women are sometimes derogatively called “tinted”.

EurWeb.com: Despite it being dangerous, skin lightening has gained popularity in Africa, with women going to makeshift clinics to get work done. The BBC notes that Kenyan men prefer their women lighter or “yellow, yellow,” as opposed to darker or “tinted” women. “Looking good is my business,” Sidika said on “#TheTrend.”

“My body is my business, nobody else’s but mine.” The 24-year-old model went on to reveal that she was motivated by her idols to lighten her skin, saying “Nicki Minaj and Rihanna did it. You just have to do it the right way.”

Caroline Mutoko (Radio Host, Kiss 100): Dear Vera, what you do with your life after the age of 18 is your business. However, a little thing to consider… you look very different, in fact nothing close to what you looked like earlier this year, or this time last year.

Therefore, speak to your lawyer to allow you to process all your important documentation afresh. Anything that has a visual of you (ID, passport, bank papers, ATM card, membership cards, etc)… you don’t want a situation where you have to explain that you’re the “same” person. It’s awkward. Just re-do the paper work. And do let me know when we can host you on the show to talk about your transformation. You have not hidden it at all and you made sure people knew that you are changing.

Wallace Kantai (Business Editor, NTV): What Vera has done is engage in the most pure form of capitalism. She’s taken the most rickety asset and parlayed it into outsized profit. And this has only happened because there are no rules of engagement. It is a new hybrid of being a pseudo-celebrity and nightclub hostess, all rolled together in a very expensive package.

Many other Kenyans are doing the same. Hundreds are trying (and a few succeeding) in building careers out of proximity to people in positions of authority. Entire (briefcase) businesses have been set up just because someone went to school with a person who is now in a position of influence over tenders and contracts worth billions. Speak to most international and local investors.

They’ll tell you how potential investments are often not analysed on the basis of their profitability and social value, but on whether these hangers-on will be able to carve out some undeserved revenue for themselves.

Josephine Mosongo (writer for ‘Buzz’): Back in the 1930s, socialites came from wealthy families; they were well bred, educated and classy. Originally, socialites were listed in a social register based on their birth, economic standing, breeding, and education. Their duties were mainly to entertain and/or be entertained at social and fashionable gatherings with others of similar background.

Just as (the original) socialites spent their time entertaining, “working” and performing their duties, so, too, do today’s socialites: the only difference being how they gained their socialite status.

Among today’s socialites, those who could almost make the cut into the 19th century social registry would be Paris Hilton—heiress to the Hilton dynasty, only because she was born into wealth. But for being well bred, educated and classy... that is not even debatable and might be asking too much of her.