Content creator Chebet Ronoh has publicly called out content creator Elsa Majimbo after exposing private Instagram messages that have reignited their long-running disagreement over creative originality and their respective careers.
Ronoh shared video clips in which she read messages Majimbo had allegedly sent her, questioning the comedian’s intentions and accusing her of copying her comedic style.
The exchange brought their strained relationship back into the spotlight, with Ronoh insisting that she had moved on from the rivalry and did not understand why Majimbo had reached out to her.
In one of the messages, Majimbo reflected on their history and argued that they had followed different paths despite creating similar content.
“I know it hurts to see someone else achieve something that you thought you would. But we are very different. I spent a lot of summers in SA, I play chess, I speak French, I travelled a lot as a kid,” Majimbo wrote.
Responding to the message in her video, Ronoh accused Majimbo of borrowing elements of her comedy.
“You did bite off my essence. You did copy my comedic style,” she said.
Ronoh also maintained that she had not brought up Majimbo for almost three years and had moved on with her life before receiving the unexpected message.
She further questioned what she viewed as a calculated approach to their interactions, suggesting that private exchanges could make her appear bitter or jealous whenever she addressed their history publicly.
The content creator made it clear that she wanted Majimbo to leave her alone rather than reopen a disagreement she believed had already passed.
Majimbo has since acknowledged sending the message and publicly expressed regret over its wording.
In a response posted in the comments section of the social media discussion, the comedian accepted responsibility for her actions and described the message as inappropriate.
“It was a very very incredibly tacky message to send and I honestly regret sending it,” Majimbo said.
She added: “I take full responsibility here. Very incredibly tacky of me and I should have infact, shut up.”
Majimbo explained that she sent the message after encountering online claims about her career beginnings and allegations that she had borrowed Ronoh’s comedic style.
She also referred to Ronoh’s previous comments about her, saying the content creator had made remarks over several years that suggested she had copied her work.
In the same private message, Majimbo insisted that she had always supported Ronoh’s success.
“I was always happy for your success when you blew up. You had a platform before me, and I loved your videos. Even though I was doing something similar, I knew my path was not your destiny and vice versa,” she wrote.
The disagreement between the two creators dates back to the period when they were building their online audiences through short comedy videos.
Both became known for direct-to-camera monologues, humorous observations, sunglasses and distinctive laughter after delivering punchlines. Their similar presentation styles attracted comparisons from Kenyan social media users, with some accusing Majimbo of copying Ronoh.
In March 2021, Ronoh addressed the comparisons during an interview, saying the constant attempts to pit them against each other had become frustrating.
“A lot of people compared me with Elsa, which was at first it was okay,” she said, explaining that she initially understood why audiences compared creators working in the same industry.
However, she admitted that the comparisons eventually became unpleasant.
“The last thing you want to do is compare. It really sucks. As long as I am a channel and I am Deborah Chebet Ronoh as best as I know how to, nothing else matters,” she added.
Majimbo had also addressed the comparisons in a 2020 interview with former radio presenter Shaffie Weru. She maintained that she started creating content before Ronoh but acknowledged that Ronoh became popular first.
“I started before Ronoh but she blew before me,” Majimbo said, adding that people often misunderstood their respective journeys and treated their success as though there was room for only one of them.
The disagreement escalated publicly in March 2023 when Ronoh directly accused Majimbo and actress Kate Actress of imitating her content. In a series of social media posts, she called out both creators and questioned why they were allegedly repeating her ideas.
“I’m calling everybody out, Kate actress stop copying me, Elsa Majimbo stop copying me, what do you mean, you are out of material?” she said.
She also wrote: “Elsa say something I haven’t said. They copy everything I do mahn.”
Ronoh’s accusations attracted mixed reactions, with some social media users supporting her while others questioned the claims.
She later apologised to people she had offended during the online outbursts and announced that she would take a break from social media.
The latest exchange has therefore revived a disagreement that has followed both creators for years, bringing their early content styles, public comparisons and differing accounts of their careers back into public discussion.
