Kenyan singer Esther Akoth, popularly known as Akothee, has opened up on why she moves around with several bodyguards.
In an interview with a local newspaper, the artiste opened up on her lifestyle, her business ventures and wealth.
The self-declared president of single mothers says being a celebrity demands a lot including keeping yourself safe from fans and other people who might be having ill motives. The mother of five says the number of bodyguards accompanying her depends on the occasion, stating that she has a total of 20 security men.
“Celebrity life is tough. I have to drive around in big cars and with an entourage. My drivers, bodyguards, and the rest of the team cost a lot. I have like a total of 20 bodyguards, but I deploy them according to my needs. When I am making public appearances, obviously I need more,” she says.
The “Oyoyo” hit-maker also spoke about her wealth, where she revealed that she owns five mansions worth millions of shillings each in Kenya and abroad.
“I have Five Mansions: Rongo, Mombasa, Normandy (France), Lugano (Switzerland), Zurich (Switzerland),” says Akothee in an Interview with Daily Nation.
She says she bought one of her several cars for Sh30 million and also owns a hotel called Morning Star Diani besides doing horticultural farming and tree planting.
“I have what we call Akothee Forest. We have about 40,000 pieces of Eucalyptus Grandis and each is worth Sh1, 000. I am also the founder and CEO of Akothee Safaris, which is quickly gaining international repute. My travel firm organizes excursions, hotel and airline reservations. We also have a hotel called Morning Star Diani,” Akothee told Daily Nation.
“I am a moving scandal, you can call me aka “sumbua tariff”. People follow everything I do, it’s not my fault. My life is just dramatic, I have mzungu babies and African babies in my home. People misunderstand my jokes because I go straight to the point. I am a real person, I don’t sugarcoat anything; not on TV, not on social media not even in private.”
“However, I am not encouraging young girls to go and get many babies. I have to accept things as they are and be proud of my situations, but don’t use me as an excuse to be irresponsible; be smart,” she states.