Rachael Otuoma shades critics after East Africa Superwoman Awards victory
By Steve Ireri, May 17, 2026Late footballer Ezekiel Otuoma’s widow, Rachael, has fired back at critics after winning the Most Outstanding Brand Influencer award during the 7th edition of the East Africa Superwoman Awards 2026.
Speaking after receiving the recognition on Sunday, May 17, 2026, Rachael celebrated the achievement while appearing to respond to individuals who had previously criticised and mocked her online presence and TikTok activities.
“I have won the award for the most outstanding brand influencer in Kenya in the year 2026 at the East Africa Superwoman Awards 7th Edition,” she said.
The TikToker said some people had constantly spoken negatively about her and underestimated her efforts, but her latest award had now proven that her hard work and consistency were paying off.
Rachael specifically referenced some of her online critics, saying they were now silent following her victory at the awards ceremony.
“Where are the people who talked badly about me? The examples of Kapunye. Haha. Where are they now? People like Diana Rose, I know they are not breathing now,” she added.
The content creator further dedicated the award to her loyal supporters and TikTok fans, thanking them for continuously supporting her livestreams and promotional content online.
According to Rachael, many of the brands she works with receive visibility through her TikTok live sessions, where fans consistently join, interact and support her campaigns.
She emotionally appreciated followers who continue tapping into her livestreams whenever she is advertising products, saying their support has played a huge role in helping her grow as a digital influencer.
“But I dedicate this gift to all my fans who are always tapping into the live and supporting me. You see, I always go live every time I am advertising these brands, and you guys are always supporting and joining my lives,” she said.
Car gift
Speaking in a TikTok live hosted by Bosskhan on Friday, February 27, 2026, Rachael explained that the family, whom she clarified was not related to her in any way, became aware of her struggles while watching her live sessions on TikTok.
“Yes, it’s true, a Zimbabwean family bought me a car, but I was not dating any member of that family. That is why I was always saying in my lives that I had received a destiny helper from Zimbabwe. It happened when we met while I was taking Otuoma for physiotherapy at the hospital, and we were using a cab,” she narrated.
Rachael recalled a moment when she and Ezekiel had attempted to order a cab to the hospital, but the driver declined because Ezekiel, who was very frail and in a wheelchair, could not fit in.
The setback happened while she was live-streaming, and it was at that moment that the Zimbabwean family noticed her situation.
Rachael said that later, after returning from the hospital, a member of the family reached out to ask whether she had a car suitable for Ezekiel, who was a professional footballer, and whether she had been able to find assistance.
“I remember one time we ordered a cab, and the driver declined because Otuoma was very frail and in a wheelchair, and we needed to put the wheelchair in the boot. When that setback happened, I was live on TikTok, and it just so happened that the Zimbabwean family was watching my live. Later, after we went to the hospital and came back, a member of that family reached out to me and asked whether we had a car, since Otuoma is a footballer. He asked if I had been able to get help to get a car that could take him to the hospital visits, and I told him it was not possible,” she narrated.
She explained that it was not possible for her to get one at the time.
The family then expressed their intention to help, though neither she nor Ezekiel knew that a car was being planned as a surprise.
She revealed that the family used mutual friends, including popular couple Nelly Tietie and her husband, to discreetly coordinate the gift.
“He said that one day he might help, but neither Otuoma nor I knew that they were planning to surprise us with a car. They used our close friends, the couple Nelly Tietie and her husband, to coordinate everything,” she stated.