The 31-year-old won the Best Supporting Actress award on her sterling performance in the movie ‘12 years a Slave’/COURTESY
The 31-year-old won the Best Supporting Actress award on her sterling performance in the movie ‘12 years a Slave’.
“Thank you to the academy for this incredible recognition, it doesn’t escape me for one moment that so much joy in my life is thanks to so much pain in someone else’s so I want to salute the spirit of Patsy for her guidance.”
“Thank you so much for putting me in this position; it has been the joy of my life.”
“When I look down at this golden statue may it remind me and every little child that no matter where you’re from your dreams are valid.” She concluded with what was arguably the most quotable quote of the entire ceremony.
President Uhuru Kenyatta tweeted soon after Lupita’s victory, calling her the Pride of Africa, while his deputy William Ruto tweeted: “Talent plus education can change your life: It’s a package deal. Just ask Lupita Nyong’o.
Among other leaders who congratulated her is former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka who says the actress has given the youth hope and placed Kenya where she belongs, a Country of World beaters.
Kenyans on the streets of Nairobi agree with the sentiments, saying Lupita has positioned Kenya on the world map. Some of the sampled comments include:
“It’s a good thing for us Kenyans because we are on the world map now for the good things, for the right reasons like for the area of art we have not been able to get to that level and now we have a Kenyan, its setting a good precedence, some of us will we encourage to venture into such areas.”
“I’m proud of Lupita she has made Kenyans very proud.”
“I think it’s really encouraging because most people have self esteem issues and seeing she has a background and she has really worked hard to get where she is right now, it’s very encouraging for the rest of us.”
“She has defiantly put us on the platform in the world of Hollywood, it’s great for us Kenyans.”
“It doesn’t matter where you come from, who you are, as long as you keep dreaming you are fine.”
“She has done wonders and we really appreciate because she has given us a name, people in the world now have discovered that Kenyans are great actors.”
The Cabinet Secretary for Sports, Culture and the Arts, Hassan Wario also congratulated Lupita on her win saying it was a great present to Kenya as she celebrates 50 years of independence.
He describes her win as outstanding and historic in every sense of it and is also an inspiration to young upcoming artists.
“I would like to congratulate our sister and daughter of the land as they say, Lupita Nyon’go. It was an outstanding performance by an outstanding Kenyan in the year of our celebration. Lupita’s success is historic in every sense, her being the first African to have lifted the Oscar award and undoubtedly the first Kenyan to win. I believe she is up there in the sky in terms of her spirit and we are up there with her as Kenyans in terms of her celebration.” he said
He announced that the government is set to construct a national ultra-modern theatre and a film school that will bring together artists of all disciplines and which will act as the country’s hub for the film development.
He also called for enhanced partnership between the government and the private sector.
“My ministry is committed in providing training to nurture and promote talent to our youth. We are keen in tapping talent in the area of sports and culture. In the area of film we have specific programs at hand for instance through the department of Film Service we are starting The Kenya Film school.”
In saluting her, The Cabinet Secretary for East African Affairs, Commerce and Tourism Phyllis Kandie issued a statement saying, “It was with great joy and excitement that we watched history being written when one of our very own Lupita Nyong’o became the first Kenyan ever to win an Oscar Academy Award in her role as the Best Supporting Actress in the Film “12 Years A Slave”.
“Lupita has earned her mark as a true ambassador of this great country and an epitome of hard-work and success and we are truly proud of her” she added.
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