Ignorance won’t fly: Liz Jackson hits back at critics questioning Shiksha’s nationality
By William Muthama, January 30, 2026Social media personality Liz Jackson has come out strongly in defence of journalist Shiksha Arora, condemning online critics who questioned Arora’s Kenyan identity following a cultural tour she hosted for German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul in Nairobi.
In an Instagram post on Friday, January 30, 2026, Liz Jackson dismissed the attacks as ignorant and historically uninformed.
“Everyone is well versed in history, like I am this day and age, who doesn’t know we have Kenyans of Indian descent?” she wrote.
Jackson pointed out that many Indians migrated to Kenya between 1895 and 1901 to work on the Kenya-Uganda railway, often labelled coolies by colonisers, and that a significant number stayed to settle in major towns along the railway, such as Kisumu, Nakuru, Nairobi, and Mombasa.
Nationality vs ethnicity
Jackson also highlighted the importance of distinguishing between nationality and ethnicity. She criticised attempts to police Arora’s Kenyan identity, writing, “There’s a big difference between nationality and ethnicity. In 2026, Tupunguzi ignorance. Make the internet your friend if you’ve forgotten your history.”
Jackson also stressed the difference between nationality and ethnicity, urging critics to educate themselves if they have forgotten Kenya’s history. She said she cannot stand ignorance and called out attempts to police Kenyan identity based on heritage.
“Make the internet your friend if you’ve forgotten your history. I can’t stand ignorance and slowness,” she said
Jackson’s defence comes after Arora faced criticism for hosting the German diplomat on a tour that showcased Nairobi’s street culture, including a ride in a colourful Nganya, a stop at a local kibanda to enjoy ugali, beef, and sukuma wiki, and participation in the viral Anguka Nayo dance.
Some social media users accused Arora of not being “Kenyan enough” to lead the experience.
Arora herself responded to the attacks, writing, “When will I be considered Kenyan enough? Shall I walk with my passport on my forehead? Carry documents from four generations of my family? The obsession with policing identity is exhausting. Ignorance is a choice.”