Musician and entrepreneur Esther Akoth, popularly known as Akothee, has criticized Kenyans for their lack of empathy towards how they judge celebrities.

In a statement on Friday evening, the mother of five revealed that she is a major victim of being judged without consideration. She spoke about a photo of her with Nelly Oaks taken about three years ago, which, according to her, people have been viewing negatively.

The 43-year-old artist said that contrary to what others might think, the reality is that the photo was taken while she was battling a severe illness that almost took her life, and her manager, Nelly Oaks, was helping her through the recovery process.

"You might make this photo romantic because of what's behind it and what’s in your mind. However, for us, this photo reminds us of triumph—a journey of a woman who refused to give up in 2021, a woman who refused to die," Akothee wrote below the photo showing her and Nelly Oaks by the pool.

She added, "This photo was taken while I was in the midst of my collapsing world. We had made several hospital visits where I wished the doctor would give me an injection that could completely numb me. We had just come from the hospital after being diagnosed with compressed veins and I couldn’t engage in intimacy, let alone think about it. I was supposed to undergo surgery that would have left me in a wheelchair. One side of my body was almost paralyzed, and Nelly had to do everything to bring me back to life. I didn't know, I was also very disheartened.”

Following this, the mother of five has urged Kenyans to have a clear mind and stop thinking that everything is about sex.

"It’s wrong, and believe me, if I find this photo on your page with shocking captions, ask yourself why you won’t see us on the blog again. I must clean and control my image,” she said.

She also emphasized her commitment to her relationship with her partner Nelly Oaks and dismissed all others.