KENYA’S Tourism Ambassador, Supermodel Naomi Campbell, has delivered her first child at 50 years of age.
Naomi, whose appointment as tourism ambassador has been the subject of heated debate in Kenya, shared a picture of the baby on Tuesday, May 17, 2021 – and wrote “A beautiful little blessing has chosen me to be her mother.
“So honoured to have this gentle soul in my life there are no words to describe the lifelong bond that I now share with you my angel. There is no greater love.”
The celebrity who tagged her mum Valerie Morris-Campbell in the post, kept most of the details to herself. She did not divulge much beyond the photo and the short, measured message.
Many celebrities took to Twitter and other social media platforms to congratulate Naomi who was last pictured on the runway in April 2021.
In 2017, Naomi had said that she was thinking about having babies, but made it clear that she wasn’t bothered about her age.
“Now with the way science is I think I can do it when I want,” She said at the time.
It was just a matter of time before she had one – and she did in 2021.
Naomi who has been in the modeling industry for over 30 years was made Kenya’s Tourism Ambassador in January 2021.
The announcement did not, however, auger well with a section of Kenyans – among them political leaders who felt Oscar Winner Lupita Nyong’o was more deserving.
Former Nominated Jubilee Senator Millicent Omanga stated thus:
“Ministry of Tourism taps Naomi Campbell, a tired model who has lost her mojo to be the Magical Kenya international Brand Ambassador and is to market Kenya as a tourism and travel destination. Why not Lupita Nyong’o or one of our daughters of international repute? Lol”
However, others like journalist Zain Verjee congratulated Naomi and openly threw their weight behind her.
“Congratulations Naomi Campbell for being Kenya’s tourism ambassador. It’s a good thing! She’ll help bring tourists here, we need support and she’s an icon. Lupita Nyong’o is ours and trust me we will find a way to bring her in to fly our flag higher,” Tweeted Zain Verjee.
Tourism Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala defended the decision to pick Naomi for the role.
“Naomi Campbell will be Magical Kenya’s International Tourism Ambassador. That doesn’t take away from our domestic market, it only strengthens it. #MagicalKenya,” he had tweeted.
The Kenyan tourism sector has suffered a slump brought about by the pandemic. The selection of the Naomi who has a global clout is an attempt to give the industry a much-needed boost.