Top American R&B act Chris Brown thinks Kenya and her people are breathtaking and hospitable respectively, despite accusations being leveled against him that he smashed a fan’s phone at the Moi International Airport, Mombasa, when he jetted into the country Saturday (October 8) 10am.
Brenda Chepkoech, who claimed to have had her cell phone broken by Chris Brown over a selfie request, revealed to journalists in Mombasa that she first spotted Brown making his way to his car at the airport before approaching him to ask if they could take a photo together.
“I was with my friends and was trying to take a selfie when he grabbed the phone from the back. I was shocked. I have a ticket for the show but I won’t attend it. Brown should know that we like his songs but he has to respect his fans,” Chepkoech explained of the incident, Daily Nation reported.
Speaking to eDaily via his Kenyan rep, Thandie, Chris Brown however expressed his disappointment at the predominant perception people have about him – that he is violent – while in reality, according to him, he did not exhibit elements of violence at the Moi International Airport.
“He (Chris) said: ‘Not again. This is another lie about me’,” Thandie exclusively told eDaily in Mombasa after Chris Brown’s Mombasa Rocks Festival.
“Chris was not really mad. You know when you are right you don’t have to get angry really. He was in such a good mood. He had such a good time,” added Thandie.
Revisiting Kenya
“It was his first time in Kenya. He loved Kenya and her people. He just happened to interact with a part of Kenya. Nonetheless, he experienced the hospitality and warmth of Kenyan people. He told me: ‘I like the country. I really want to do the safari (Kenyan tour), but…next time,” said Thandie.
“He has promised to come back and stay longer, do the safari and interact with Kenyans. In short: He loved Kenya!”
After reports of “Chris Brown smashes fan’s phone in Mombasa” surfaced online Saturday morning, the Kenyan blogosphere went into a meltdown, with sections taking to Twitter to demand immediate deportation of the Loyalhit-maker.
“It broke my heart to see the hash tag “Deport Chris Brown” trending because it is not my wish we market Kenya in such a manner. We need to show the rest of the world that Kenya is the best tourism destination, Mombasa in particular. That should be trending instead of false claims that he smashed someone’s phone,” quipped Thandie.
“I am so upset because it has taken away the beauty of perception that Kenya enjoys. The media which published the false reports should retract their story because where is the police report, where are the facts, where is Chris Brown’s side of the story? Credible media outlets should not base their story on hearsay. I am so sad. Thank you,” concluded Thandie before leaving interview set.
Not new to controversy?
The news comes just weeks after Chris Brown battled it out in the headlines with former model Baylee Curran who accused Brown of pointing a gun at her face following a dispute over jewelry at his home in Tarzana, California.
While Brown was later arrested on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon, Curran’s case against the Don’t Judge Me singer has reportedly hit a dead end due to a lack of sufficient evidence.
Electric performance
Despite entry charges costing an arm and a leg for many (KSh10, 000 regular; KSh20, 000 VIP; KSh50, 000 VVIP), Chris Brown concert at the Mombasa Golf Club was packed to capacity with revelers approving of the singer’s performance.
Tanzania’s Ali Kiba and Vanessa Mdee, Nigeria’s Wizkid among other local artistes curtain-raised for Brown, the main act, who took to the stage minutes past midnight.
Chris Brown left the country in his private jet Sunday 4am.
Credits: edaily.co.ke
