A group of prominent Kenyan gospel artists, media personalities, and influencers is facing intense online backlash after participating in a sponsored trip to Israel, a visit many critics say was ‘insensitive’ and ‘tone-deaf’ given the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
The trip, which included well-known names such as Kambua, Kestin Mbogo, Caleb Karuga, Mwende Macharia, Gadwilliam Kiragu, Mimo Karanja, and others, has sparked a heated national debate on ethics, public influence, and the responsibilities of celebrities during global conflicts.
The influencers documented their journey extensively on social media, sharing photos of historical sites, cultural landmarks, and what appeared to be organized educational activities.
But what was intended to be a faith-based or cultural experience quickly transformed into a controversy as Kenyans on social media raised concerns about the timing, sponsorship, and political implications of the visit.
The backlash is largely rooted in Kenya’s growing vocal support for the plight of Palestinians, especially among young Kenyans who have taken strong positions online and even launched boycotts of brands associated with Israel.
To many of these supporters, any state-sponsored visit to Israel at this moment is seen as complicity in what they view as oppressive military actions in Gaza.
Some critics argue that the influencers were unknowingly or knowingly participating in a public relations exercise designed to sanitize Israel’s global image during heightened international scrutiny.
Comments across social platforms accused them of allowing themselves to be ‘used for propaganda’ in exchange for paid flights, accommodation, and curated tours.
Popular digital commentator Joe Muchiri was among those who openly criticized the trip, saying influencers “should not sell their souls for free trips and fancy hotels when children are dying.”
His sentiment was echoed widely across Kenyan Twitter, where hashtags calling out the visit trended for hours.
For many Kenyans, the problem wasn’t that the celebrities visited Israel — a country many Christians revere for its religious sites — but rather who sponsored the trip and when it took place.
At a time when images of destruction, displacement, and high civilian casualties in Gaza dominate global headlines, the optics of smiling influencers posing at scenic locations felt profoundly unsettling to a segment of the public.
Among those at the center of the storm is beloved gospel singer Kambua, whose music and personal testimony have inspired many Kenyans over the years.
Her participation shocked some fans, given her reputation as a voice of compassion and social sensitivity.
The disappointment was more pronounced within Christian circles, with some saying they expected gospel figures to be more cautious, given the moral and humanitarian complexities surrounding the Israel-Palestine conflict.
Similarly, Christian content creator Kestin Mbogo became a target of criticism as fans questioned how a faith-driven influencer could attend a state-organized trip without acknowledging or addressing the suffering in Gaza.
Critics argued that those with large religious platforms have a special moral responsibility not to appear indifferent to injustice, especially when their silence or participation can be construed as alignment with one side of a conflict.
As the controversy grew, many Kenyans expected a joint statement or even individual clarifications from the influencers involved.
However, by the time the backlash peaked online, none of the travellers had issued an official response directly addressing the criticism.
Their social media pages remained largely unchanged, with some users noting that comments were either limited or disabled on certain posts.