Kenyan musician and businesswoman Esther Akoth Kokeyo, popularly known as Akothee, has declared herself Kenya’s only genuine celebrity, stating that her level of fame makes it impossible for her to shop in public places like ordinary people and other Kenyan celebrities.

“I’m the only celebrity who can’t shop in the supermarket. In Kisumu, they have to close the supermarket for me to shop. Ask Kisumu people. In Homa Bay, they have to close down the store. In fact, Shiveling just hears that I am around, he closes and chases away customers. I can’t shop in Migori,” Akothee stated.

She contrasted her celebrity status with other public figures who move around freely.

“Wachana na hawa ma public figures wenu wanatembea unakutana nao kila mahali. Tumeelewana,” she said, dismissing other celebrities who can be encountered anywhere.

Akothee described herself as a rare commodity, adding that anyone who meets her is very privileged.

“I’m a rare commodity. And if I come to your salon or I come to your premises, it’s a privilege,” she stated.

Akothee also revealed that she sometimes uses ride-hailing services to move around discreetly. “Sometimes I do Uber, because I need to jump here and there. When I pay you Uber, Uber people, stop contacting me with my M-Pesa number,” she said.

She emphasized the distinction between her public persona and private identity.

“I was privileged to carry. Who did you carry? You carried Esther, you did not carry Akothee,” she told Uber drivers who contact her after the ride.