American actress and former Disney Channel star Skai Jackson has found herself at the centre of a social media storm after making controversial remarks about her visit to Kenya, prompting widespread criticism from Kenyans online.
The actress, best known for her role as Zuri Ross in Jessie, claimed that mirrors are an expensive luxury in parts of Kenya and that some children only saw their own reflections for the first time through her mobile phone.
Her comments quickly went viral, with many Kenyans accusing her of perpetuating outdated stereotypes about Africa and adopting a “white saviour” narrative despite being African American.
As the backlash intensified, Jackson appeared to limit public reactions on her social media platforms after her comment sections were flooded with insults and criticism from Kenyan users questioning the accuracy of her claims.
Skai Jackson’s remarks spark outrage
Speaking about her visit to a Kenyan village, Jackson described the experience as both “sad but happy,” claiming that mirrors were too expensive for many residents.
"When I went to Africa, I loved it. I went to Kenya, and down there, it made me so sad, but happy at the same time. Mirrors are very expensive, so a lot of people don't know what they look like," she said.
Jackson went on to claim that children at a local school were seeing their own faces for the first time after she showed them their reflections using her phone.
“When I went to this school, it was this little village. It was so cute. A lot of the kids did not know what they looked like, so for the first time, they saw what they looked like on my phone. They were laughing and were so happy.”
“When I went to this school, it was this little village. It was so cute. A lot of the kids did not know what they looked like, so for the first time, they saw what they looked like on my phone. They were laughing and were so happy.”
She further suggested that growing up without mirrors could reduce insecurities and bullying among children, adding that people in the community placed great value on education.
Jackson’s remarks have sparked a wave of criticism across X, Instagram and TikTok, with many Kenyans dismissing her account as misleading and offensive.
Critics argued that mirrors are common household items across Kenya and accused the actress of reinforcing long-standing misconceptions that portray African communities as primitive or lacking basic necessities.
Some social media users questioned where exactly Jackson visited, while others said her comments ignored Kenya’s modern infrastructure and urban development in favour of a stereotypical portrayal designed to evoke sympathy.
Who is Skai Jackson?
Born in 2002, Skai Jackson began her career as a child model before transitioning into acting at the age of five.
She rose to international fame for portraying Zuri Ross in Disney Channel’s Jessie and its spin-off Bunk’d. She has also competed on Dancing with the Stars, voiced characters in animated productions and authored the book Reach for the Skai: How to Inspire, Empower, and Clapback.
Jackson has also built a reputation as an anti-bullying advocate, using her social media platforms to reach millions of followers around the world.
