Viral Chips Vendor Tells Off Politicians Using Her to Campaign

Bevalyn Kwamboka after Millicent Omanga gifted her an umbrela and apron.
Bevalyn Kwamboka after Millicent Omanga gifted her an umbrela and apron.
Twitter

A roadside chips vendor who went viral over her use of social media to market her business, Bevalyn Kwamboka, now says she is saddened by politicians using her in negative campaigns ahead of the August 9, 2022 General Election.

The 23-year-old who became an internet sensation told a local media house on Friday, October 22, that she feels agitated by the move by politicians to use her and similar people in their political campaigns.

She argued that once the politicians use the youth, they later dump and leave them at the mercy of online bullies who make fun of them after the elections are over.

The chips vendor said she does not want to become the subject of ridicule after the polls as it happened to musician Ben Githae, who has been trolled over and over for his campaign hit songs.

An image from Ben Githae's 'Tano Tena' video released in 2017
An image from Ben Githae's 'Tano Tena' video released in 2017
YouTube

“I saw that coming, I felt bad, and I was not ready for that. I would not like to push negative politics and be among such people... like the tano-tena singer. I don’t want to be that person that Kenyans will say politicians used me to propagate their agenda." 

She went ahead to express her dissatisfaction with the cost of living, saying that the government has made life hard for the people.

“Personally, I'm not happy with the way we are living as Kenyans. I cannot be able to afford cooking oil as fuel cost has gone up,” she stated.

She added that politicians are taking advantage of her desperate situation and using it to woo the masses as part of their strategy to show how they have been empowering the youth.

“I am a chips vendor who is desperate and struggling financially. If you are coming out to help me, help me as a person you have seen in a desperate situation. Don’t come in the name of branding my workplace to fit certain political parties. After the elections, Kenyans will make a judgment on me,” she stated.

Kwamboka recalled her fallout with nominated Senator, Millicent Omanga, which caught the attention of Kenyans. The Senator took to the social praising her team for assisting the roadside chips vendor to get a footing in the business world, a move that Kwamboka deconstructed. 

The Senator gifted Kwamboka branded aprons, an umbrella, and a sack of potatoes.

However, the nominated Senator was quick to cleanse herself following netizens' dissatisfaction, stating that she did not know Kwamboka had higher expectations from her.

While Kwamboka enjoys a new business premise dealership away from the roadside, Twitter has verified her account, which is a win for her as a brand.

Nominated Senator Millicent Omanga takes a photo with Bevalyn Kwamboka with sacks of potatoes and the branded aprons on Tuesday, October 5.
Nominated Senator Millicent Omanga takes a photo with Bevalyn Kwamboka with sacks of potatoes and the branded aprons on Tuesday, October 5.
Twitter