Former Miss Kenya contestant reveals disturbing details about the Kenyan modeling industry

We often look at models through rose-coloured glasses but Sheila Kanini, a former Miss Kenya contestant recently yanked them off with a daring social media expose about the poor treatment of models in the country.

In her posts, Sheila gave disturbing details of how models are exploited sexually and financially opening a can of worms on the modelling industry through the hashtag #paymodelske.

Sheila revealed that she has had to deal with crooked agents, magazines and brands that would not pay their models and the worst of all sexual exploitation where models would be paraded for the viewing pleasure of old men who would then pick the girls out for a ‘night in town’.

And if you didn’t comply you were often branded as ‘boujee’ and warned that you would never progress in the cut-throat industry if you are not willing to ‘scratch backs’

Sheila’s confessions and bravery have been lauded by key industry players, influencers and even politicians such as Dennis Itumbi who wrote “I salute @sheila_kanini for speaking out on #PayModelsKE. That is a bold first step. I love the hashtag. Read almost all the tweets. However, for the benefit of the industry, the conversations need to move to empowerment and joint negotiation platform.”

Check out what other celebrities and KOT are tweeting through the hashtag #paymodelske.

@TsandyJoan: Fam, my friend was called for a "swimwear modelling gig" in Runda. Tools of trade are a bikini and Eiffel tower length heels. How was she paraded in front of old white men for easy pickings? Issa guise for pimping out naive models on the come up. #PayModelsKe

Robert ALAI, HSC: Apart from the no payment, general mistreatment of models as revealed in the #PayModelsKE TT, you need to also hear of the forced prostitution, RAPE and recruitment into homosexuality. The industry is just in shambles.

Patricia Kihoro: About 10-15 years ago I did some “modelling” gigs here and there. Handing out flyers, a couple of activations. 5 soc a day. But an internship at an ad agency opened my eyes to budgets. Weh. I saw what “modelling agencies” were doing. Wah! Some casting agents are evil. #PayModelsKe

Oliver Mathenge: Woke up to find this #PayModelsKe. It is disheartening and disgusting that you can take advantage of others who are just out to make an honest living. You should be ashamed. For those who have gone through such, pole sana. For those who have stood up against such, big up.

Shaffie Weru: I Get calls from random casting agents who want to get my daughters to model or do adverts whatever en after checking out #paymodelske TT! I thank My God that I never considered selling out my babies!!!

Check it out here!

Former Miss Kenya contestant reveals disturbing details about the Kenyan modeling industry

We often look at models through rose-coloured glasses but Sheila Kanini, a former Miss Kenya contestant recently yanked them off with a daring social media expose about the poor treatment of models in the country.

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Former Miss Kenya contestant reveals disturbing details about the Kenyan modeling industry

We often look at models through rose-coloured glasses but Sheila Kanini, a former Miss Kenya contestant recently yanked them off with a daring social media expose about the poor treatment of models in the country.

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