Comedian Butita under fire from netizens low-key supporting the Finance Bill 2024
Key takeaways
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- Eddie Butita is a Kenyan comedian and director of Stage Presence Media (SPM), a popular online media house in Kenya.
- Currently, Butita is enjoying widespread popularity thanks to his highly successful YouTube show “A Nurse Toto”, which is dominating the airwaves.
- Butita was part of a high-level delegation that accompanied President William Ruto on his recent state visit to the United States of America.
- Back in Kenya, citizens are furious as parliament prepares to pass stringent tax proposals.
Also read: Activist Hanifa arrested during #OccupyParliament anti-Finance Bill demos
Kenyans on X (KOX) relentless onslaught on Eddie Butita
Eddie Butita is no stranger to online trolls, especially on the vibrant Twitter (X) platform.
He once again finds himself on the wrong side of the KOX for his apparent support for the controversial Finance Bill 2024.
Alongside thousands of other Kenyans, Butita took to X (Twitter) to share his thoughts on the highly scrutinized bill.
The actor and comedian wrote:
“As a responsible citizen, I have raised some issues on the Finance bill, especially touching on the creative economy. I have engaged both formally and informally and I am confident action will be taken. That said creatives are not opposed to paying taxes, we are just asking for a harmonized approach.”
He followed up the 14th June tweet with a series of others in support of detained protesters in Nairobi.
As Butita called for the release of the demonstrators, Kenyans on Twitter, formerly KOT descended on him for his flip-flopping.
Boycott Butita’s “A Nurse Toto”
The trolling unexpectedly escalated to Butita’s personal phone number doing rounds on social media with calls to dislike his YouTube show “A Nurse Toto”
Some Twitter users spared no criticism as they attacked Eddie Butita’s recent hit show, “A Nurse Toto,” calling for boycotts and flooding the YouTube channel with dislikes.
Members of parliament faced a similar treatment when their contact numbers were widely circulated on social media recently.
Thousands of text messages immediately jammed their phones as Kenyans appealed to them to vote “NO” to the punitive finance bill.
President Ruto was also not spared in the digital onslaught as his number was also leaked online
Butita’s dalliance with government
Alongside other popular artists, Butita has been recognized by the state as a model content creator.
The comedian cum entrepreneur received the Order of the Grand Warrior (OGW) from President Ruto last year.
Together with entertainment heavyweight Njugush and Abel Mutua, Butita received the national honor in recognition of his contribution to the arts industry.
He was also involved in the Kenya Kwanza government’s “Talanta Hela” functions. “Talanta Hela” is an initiative by the government to nurture and help monetize young Kenyan talents.
His seemingly close collaboration with the government also came to the fore when he accompanied President Ruto to the United States’ official state visit.
Kenyans closely followed the developments in the North American country as the delegation engaged with Hollywood stars at opulent dinners.
Also read: Top 3 Kenyan Stars Who Have Found it Rough in Politics
Butita’s recent tweets and perceived closeness with the state appear to be weakening his connection with Gen Z, the demographic largely responsible for the success of “A Nurse Toto”.
It’s worth mentioning that the current demonstrations against the Finance Bill are dominated by young Kenyans, commonly identified as Gen Z in social circles.
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