Black Panther premiere was held in Kisumu, where fans of the award-winning actress Lupita Nyong’o expressed disappointment after it emerged that she would not grace the premiere of ‘Black Panther’, a highly anticipated movie.
The movie which the world is anticipating to starting February 16, premiered at the Mega City Mall in Kisumu starting 7 pm, on Tuesday, February 13, bringing together multitudes of Lupita fans and entertainment lovers.
Kisumu Tourism, Sports and Arts CeC Achie Alai while addressing the press on Tuesday morning in Kisumu, said Lupita’s diary was tight.“Lupita did not say that she was coming for the premiere.
I think we would have all wanted her to come, but her diary is not controlled by the Kisumu County government. It is her schedule with her producers," said Alai.
She added that Lupita whose father is Kisumu Governor Anyang Nyong'o had sent her love and best wishes.
"The most important thing is that she has gifted us the movie and Kenya gets to host it. Kenya being the first African nation to have this event, is a great privilege."The County was working with IMax and other sponsors to premiere the movie, according to the CeC.IMAX marketing manager Flora Njagi said they chose Kisumu for the advance screenings because Lupita is "a girl from that soil."
The movie premiered in London and Seoul in South Korea, with Kisumu being the third city to premiere Black Panther which tells the story of T’Challa aka Black Panther, the king of the fictional African nation of Wakanda, with superpowers of enhancing speed, strength, night vision, and healing.
"I am so disappointed that Lupita will not attend, but I have not given up. I will attend the show and support her. I am her big fan and I love her," said one of Lupita's female fans along Oginga Odinga Street in Kisumu on Tuesday afternoon.
Lupita stars as Nakia, T’Challa’s former lover and an operative of the all-female special forces of Wakanda.
Below are some of the photos from the event, courtesy of BBC Swahili.