The Socialite Craze

A socialite is a person who is well known in fashionable society and is fond of social activities and entertainment. That is the definition according to the dictionary. Wikipedia asserts that a socialite is a usually a person from a privileged, wealthy, or aristocratic background with a high position in upper class society. It is therefore obvious that in the original meaning of the word, one had to have a particular background in order to become a socialite.

The Kenyan Socialite

For many of us, the word socialite was largely unknown until the advent of social media. The first person I heard being referred to as a socialite was Vera Sidika. I heard she became famous after she was allegedly paid a lot of money to sway her bum in a music video. I later heard of one Huddah Munroe who later got to be in Big Brother’s house. Since these two hit the computer screens, several others have come up.

The Kenyan socialite is markedly different from the people who had been socialites during medieval times. As far as I can tell, none of them are royalty. Neither are they from particularly privileged backgrounds. Apparently, most of them come from relatively modest backgrounds. It may be possible that they don’t realise what they have until somebody points ‘it’ out to them.

Obsession with Anatomy

I don’t know what exactly one has to do to become a socialite in Kenya. What I know with certainty however, is that she (all those we hear of are women) has to be well endowed in certain parts of her anatomy. She also has to have the minimum of a certain shade of skin colour. If these do not occur naturally, then they can be ‘installed’ or enhanced surgically.

Shallowness of Character

I was brought up to appreciate people of good character. In all societies, character is celebrated. People with desirable characters are recognized and often rewarded. They almost always become famous and they are recognized wherever they go. Beyond character, society also appreciates high achievers who go against great odds to excel in different areas.

I can’t say with certainty that Kenyan socialites are of shallow characters. What I know however, is that they are not famous because of their character or any other tangible trait. People do not want to be associated with them because they hope to learn something from them. I don’t think anybody even knows why they are drawn to socialites but whatever it is, it has a very strong pull.

Popularity

One thing is for sure, socialites are popular. Everything they do becomes news. When one of them buys a bed, its picture trends on the internet for weeks. We know about every aspect of their lives including when and how they take a shower and we even have the pictures to prove it. Socialites are more popular than those people who actually do something for us. They are recognized as they walk in town and those who meet them pride themselves in the fact that they know their favourite drink.

Uncertainty of Criteria to Become a Socialite

In historic times, socialites had rather elaborate duties and responsibilities. They were quite knowledgeable and could engage any noble person in an intellectual discussion. They were widely read and wealthy enough to take care of all their needs, including buying their own drinks. They were often invited to parties and special gatherings because they would be indispensable in making the most fussy and grumpy royals feel welcome and entertained.

I know Kenyan socialites get invited to many gatherings especially those involving showbiz personalities. What I can’t tell is what value they add to such gatherings; that is apart from flaunting their gigantic endowments and twitching their heads to flick their expensive hair extensions back into place. I am sure they have some purpose otherwise they would not be invited in the first place. I however don’t know what that purpose is. That is the reason I don’t intend to invite a socialite to any of my parties; not that I expect them to turn up anyway. I also can’t afford to pay them because I hear they don’t come cheap.

P.S. In the spirit of equality, I think we should also have Kenyan male socialites. Maybe then, we would be able to redeem the almost lost socialite image of old.