Award- winning Hollywood actress Lupita Nyong’o could soon take up the role of marketing the country’s tourism sector.

This has been revealed by Tourism Cabinet Secretary Peninah Malonza, who on Wednesday said she in talks with the actress over that role.

Ms Malonza also said the ministry intends to enlist the help of influencers and celebrities to boost the country’s tourism sector to global prominence.

“I have been trying to reach out to Lupita and I think we’re at some engagement and I believe soon she will come on board to market Kenya. We’re also going a notch higher to reach out to influencers and heroes like Eliud Kipchonge, one of our influencers,” she said

This is not the first time the Oscar Award winner’s name being mentioned by the Tourism Ministry to promote the country. In 2021, the Hollywood actress hit back at the then tourism Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala over his comments on the controversial appointment of British model Naomi Campbell as the Magical Kenya International Tourism Ambassador.

The appointment had been met with widespread critism as many  Kenyans questioned why prominent Kenyans with international appeal, such as Lupita or Tiktok star Elsa Majimbo, were not considered.

Seeking to justify the move, Balala said the ministry had failed in its efforts to reach Lupita for the past five years, claiming it was impossible to get past a coterie of agents and managers