We can live ‘Lupita moment’

By Machel Waikenda

If Kenyans were ever convinced on the need to support performing arts among the youth, it is at this moment in the country’s history. One of Kenya’s actress won the country its first ever Oscar award becoming the first black African woman to do so. The country has since Monday been in a celebratory mood as Kenyans walked in the halo of Lupita Nyong’o’s triumph at America’s biggest awards gala for her supporting role in the film ‘12 years A Slave’. The award also came just days after her second Hollywood film, ‘Non-Stop’, premiered on February 28. Though she is not the first Kenyan actor to grace Hollywood productions, Lupita’s Oscar award has given her mileage coupled with her being the newest fashion icon. Lupita’s fete underscores a lot of my arguments before that young Kenyans are greatly talented and what they need is the knowledge and capacity to take advantage of these strengths. In her own words: “For every little child, no matter where you’re from, your dreams are valid.”