Elsa Majimbo urges dark skin Kenyan women to flee toxic local standards
Kenyan-born content creator and international chess champion Elsa Majimbo has advised dark-skinned women in Kenya to leave the country if they have the means.
Her remarks, shared on Sunday, July 6, 2025, stem from her criticism of what she describes as deeply ingrained toxic beauty standards and widespread colourism within Kenyan society.
“If you’re a dark skin woman in Kenya, get out if you can. They will make you mediocre by force,” she expressed.
Majimbo has often expressed frustration over the societal pressure placed on women with darker complexions, suggesting that the environment actively works to diminish their confidence, visibility, and potential.
Bullying
The 23-year-old has in the past been vocal about her difficult relationship with Kenyans, especially after she started gaining global recognition in 2020. Speaking to Forbes Magazine, she revealed that she has no plans to ever return to Kenya, apart from brief visits to see her family.
“They were hell-bent on my failure. When the whole world was cheering me on, Kenya was praying for my downfall. So when I got the chance, I packed my bags and left. I’ll go to see my family, but I left and I’m never going back,” she said.
Majimbo recalled the harsh online criticism she received from her fellow Kenyans when she began rising to fame with her humorous Instagram videos during the COVID-19 lockdown.
“I have a very complicated relationship with Nairobi. When things started going well for me, there was a lot of backlash against me, and there were a lot of colourist things said towards me. And surprisingly, it was people from Kenya who were doing that, and they were bullying me on the internet,” she explained.
In June 2025, she was named in Forbes Africa Magazine’s prestigious Top 30 Under 30 list. That same month, she signed a new modelling deal with IMG and WME Models, expanding her portfolio to include high-end fashion, beauty, and lifestyle endorsement deals.
Elsa’s impressive list of accolades includes an E! People’s Choice Award, a Harvard Vanguard Trophy, a YouTube Streamy Award, a Forbes Entertainer Award, and the GQ Entertainer of the Year Award. She has also graced the covers of international fashion magazines and worked with luxury brand Maison Valentino to co-create a book titled The Alphabet for Kids & Adults.
In a past interview, Majimbo reflected on her journey to success, crediting her strong belief in herself.
“I knew I was going to be an icon. So many people will discourage you, and that’s fine. So many people think they know better and that’s fine. But whatever they know, they have been told by someone else, and there are some things you can only teach yourself. At the end of the day, every single person you know will be out of your life. You need to do what’s best for you always,” Majimbo stated.
