Selina tv show actor Pascal Tokodi has divided the opinions of Kenyans on social media after he shared a video clip of his very brief encounter with President Uhuru Kenyatta in Nairobi.
In the clip, Tokodi and a friend can be seen excitedly greeting President Kenyatta from inside their car as the smiling Head of State strolls outside the State House holding a stick.
One can tell from the video the surprise the actor and his friend had as they realised the import of the moment that presented them with a rare chance to have a small and close chat with Kenyatta.
As their vehicle drives past the president, Tokodi can be heard engaging him in a small chit chat that ends with him appealing to the Head of State to watch Selina on Magic East, he stars in the tv series.
“How are you sir? Oh my goodness…what! Have a good day. Ona Selina…ona Selina…Maisha Magic East,” an elated Tokodi tells a waving and smiling President Kenyatta as he drives off.
However, Kenyans are sharply divided over how the actor and musician utilised the rare opportunity, with some blaming him for squandering the chance as others praised him for marketing his hustle.
Here are samples of the varied opinions about Tokodi’s rare moment:
Kenyans just love being angry.
— FERDINAND OMONDI (@FerdyOmondi) February 25, 2021
Pascal Tokodi asked the President to watch Selina.
HE IS AN ACTOR. THAT IS HIS HUSTLE.
That's a focused guy for me.
Extra points for not begging for handouts.
President was taking a walk. Even he needs a few minutes off Kenya's woes, FFS.
You meet the president and the first thing that comes to your mind is whether he watches Selina? pic.twitter.com/rAb3olCwe2
— Brian Mbunde ™ (@Brianmbunde) February 25, 2021
You never elected that Selina guy to public office. You can't hold him accountable for things he never signed up for. If you're in the mood of beating up politicians, start with your MCA who's just passed the BBI Bill. Stop projecting your cowardice at the wrong people.
— Gabriel Oguda (@gabrieloguda) February 25, 2021
Pascal Tokodi endorsed his show, Selina. In those ten seconds, most of us would have asked for a selfie with the president.
— Author Sakwah Ongoma (@CSakwah) February 25, 2021
You meet the PRESIDENT taking a walk and all you want him to do for you is to watch you on Selina Maisha Magic East? Kenyan youths have their priorities upside down and they want the PRESIDENT to appoint them into Government positions yet he knows they can't even pitch in 10secs
— Lord Abraham Mutai (@ItsMutai) February 25, 2021
The only thing u can ask of the president is Ona Selina ????????,Si ata ungemwambia BBI tunaangusha pic.twitter.com/EULKg7lMce
— Heisenberg (@DrJuma_M) February 25, 2021
These boys have no respect though, how do you tell the Country’s most powerful man to watch Selina? https://t.co/82QEXZ8qel
— Dennis Onsarigo (@Donsarigo) February 24, 2021
Hours later, Tokodi posted a video clip capturing his delight at the chance encounter with the most powerful person in Kenya, explaining that he saw it wise to use the chance to market himself and the show.