Kenyan models expose rot in industry

Kenyan models on Thursday and a better part of Friday took to social media to expose the atrocities that have marred their industry among them alleged exploitation and sexual abuse.

The trending hashtag #PayModelsKenya took twitter by storm with different models coming out with shocking revelations of experiences in their line of work.

The #PayModelsKenya  hashtag started after former Miss Machakos 2016, Sheila Kanini  lashed out at agencies and corporations who have her image on billboards, commercials and others on print but have never paid her.

Shortly after, other aggrieved models rallied behind her and started sharing their tribulations further castigating the agencies purported to have been involved in the said exploitation.

“Hostessing jobs are the worst. You low-key have to flirt the whole night in heels and a miniscule dress to maybe be dropped in town at 1am and paid 3k. Nijipate huko!! #PayModelsKe.”

This comes a week after Sauti Sol took the heat for calling models and promising to compensate them with food, transport and exposure. However, the melanin hit makers sent out an apology  via their Instagram page saying “We have been made aware of an email going around asking models to appear in a Sauti Sol dance video production for no compensation. The production email address it was sent from is often used by 3rd party contractors and in this case they clearly got it all wrong. We believe in fair compensation for all work in the entertainment industry and do not condone the “exposure” speak. We believe our track record speaks for itself. Needless to say, we have terminated our contract with the production company involved and apologize for this misunderstanding”.

Below are some of the reactions featured on social media:

Some experiences the models have experienced and shared. #paymodelske pic.twitter.com/Q76L9O2Znn

— Amal Abdul (@AmalMAbdul) February 8, 2018

We don’t want exposure and we don’t want jobs in exchange for sexual favors!!!!! #paymodelske

— Sheila Kanini (@sheila_kanini) February 8, 2018

Shout out to companies that work with models or influencers directly like Bonfire Adventures & Taxify. It's middlemen who create these problems. #PayModelsKE #PayInfluencersKE

— Cyprian, Is Nyakundi (@C_NyaKundiH) February 9, 2018

When 'the manager' Castro is done expressing what us models go through also let him tell you about the agency he opened with a friend at some point where he conned young girls then dissolved it. Anyway, I am done now #PayModelsKe https://t.co/5B7Kef6dkf

— Amal Abdul (@AmalMAbdul) February 8, 2018

Guys remember me talking about models really going through so much in the industry? Well from being paid with exposure/ taking months to be paid to old guys trying to take advantage of young pageant girls…. Well read about models confessions on #paymodelske .

— Amal Abdul (@AmalMAbdul) February 8, 2018

https://twitter.com/Moseax/status/961841246221160448

When I was 19 I did a runway and was paid with fries and a sausage…
That's when I gave up on modelling..mind you I had spent money going for two days of training and fare for the actual event #paymodelske

— hotensiahkay (@kabura_etm) February 8, 2018

I did a magazine cover and waited over 9 months to get paid! A child was conceived and found me waiting for my pay. #paymodelske

— Olive Waithera (@OliveWaithera) February 8, 2018

#PayModelsKE is a perfect storm – uninhibited exploitation of a young, overwhelmingly female population, often masking sexual abuse, and always geared towards either taking away their already limited resources, denying them fair recompense for their labour, or both. #WeAre52pc

— Dr. Njoki Ngumi (@njokingumi) February 8, 2018

One of the issues here on #paymodelske is that as a creative (model, photographer, musician etc), people always think they are the ones to dictate how much you should charge them. You don’t tell a lawyer/doctor how much they should charge you. Why should it be different?

— Pierre (@petersize10) February 9, 2018

One of the issues here on #paymodelske is that as a creative (model, photographer, musician etc), people always think they are the ones to dictate how much you should charge them. You don’t tell a lawyer/doctor how much they should charge you. Why should it be different?

— Pierre (@petersize10) February 9, 2018

If you follow the #paymodelske thread on social media, then you will realize many Kenyan brands are supporting exploitation of young, desperate guys, especially women. I want to believe unknowngly. (Please Lord).

— The Shinski™ (@paushinski) February 8, 2018

I worked with a leading entertainment magazine way back & know a lot in modelling industry. On #PayModelsKe they may not talk but male models are hit too, homosexuality , male prostitution thrives. You either play by dark rules or no gigs.

— Kenya West© (@KinyanBoy) February 8, 2018

A lot of people are complaining about a few months of payment delays..I have a client I worked for during the South African World Cup period in 2010 and I am still sending mails up to date #PayInfluencerske #PayModelsKE

— Thee Trend Setter ™ (@xtiandela) February 9, 2018

#paymodelske Ni vile pia.. Wanajua they can always get this cheap labor.

Woke people will decline these exploitative offers.
But some ig models who want to be seen with certain personalities.. And drinking Moet in bclub ndio wanaunguza zaidii

— seth gor (@seth_gor) February 8, 2018