Bandy Kiki
Cameroonian blogger, LGBT activist and entrepreneur
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Bandy Kiki (February 20, 1991) is a Cameroonian blogger, LGBT activist and a serial entrepreneur based in the U.K.[1][2] She is the creator of Kinnaka's Blog, a high traffic English-speaking website in Cameroon for news and entertainment.[3][4] She is a controversial figure due to her political views and LGBT activism, and has been called "The Most Hated Anglophone On Social Media in Cameroon."[5]
20 February 1991
- Blogger
- Entrepreneur
- LGBT activist
Bandy Kiki | |
|---|---|
| Born | Emily Kinaka Banadzem 20 February 1991 Jakiri, Cameroon |
| Alma mater | University of Yaounde [citation needed] |
| Occupations |
|
| Website | kinnakasblog |
Background
Kiki was born Emily Kinaka Banadzem on February 20, 1991 in Jakiri, Cameroon.[citation needed]
Career
Kiki started her career as a blogger in the UK, in a daily published online blog Kinnaka’s Blog and Kinnaka’s TV, launched in 2015.[5][6] Her blog is one of the most frequented by anglophone Cameroonians.[7] In 2016, she was listed among the 50 most influential Cameroonian youths under the age of 40 by Avance Media, CELBMD Africa and partners.[8][unreliable source?] Kiki was crowned Best Cameroonian Media CAMEEA in 2015 and won "Best 2016 Blogger" from Diaspora Entertainment Awards.[9] Kiki is a spokesperson for the Rainbow Equality Hub, an NGO that supports LGBT people in Cameroon.[3] In 2017, she was nominated for best African Blogger of the Year Award By AWA.[9] In a May 2017 interview, Kiki announced she would be assisting Irène Major with the Gay in Africa Foundation.[10] She also gave an interview to the Humen Online[11] Hungarian gay magazine, which is also available in Hungarian language.[12]
Controversy and attacks
She was criticized for her controversial post on her blog following the ongoing 2016–2017 Cameroonian protests.[1] She received extensive abuse online, including the spread of unsubstantiated rumors claiming Kiki was HIV-positive and that she is an agent of the Cameroon government attempting to sabotage the ongoing crisis. Kiki has denied those claims.[13] Kiki has been criticized for being gay and supporting LGBT rights in Cameroon.[1][14][15] In one example, film producer Agbor Gilbert Ebot stated that ''...If I catch you for Cameroon, I go 'rape' you well well so that di demon of lesbianism go comot for your body…I get plans to give you belle..."[1] She has been the subject of death threats.[7]
