Socialite and content creator Faith Makau, popularly known as Amber Ray, has decided to post previous international destinations she has visited to shut down netizen’s trolls that she has only been to Africa.
Taking to her Instagram page on Tuesday, February 25, 2025, the self-proclaimed Bibi Ya Tajiri expressed her frustration with those bombarding her with such remarks, asserting that, contrary to their misguided assumptions, she has actually visited over 15 international destinations.
“Since your favorite bloggers will never highlight anything positive about me—because, let’s be real, my name in controversy generates more views and engagement—let me go ahead and do the Lord’s work. Also, I see some of you are new here and too lazy to do your homework. Don’t worry, I’ll bring you up to speed,” she declared.
The mother of two went on to address those fixated on the claim that she had only traveled within Africa, branding them as petty individuals who simply lacked awareness of her past—one that is packed with extensive international excursions.
She further emphasized that people should not assume she has never indulged in the luxury of global travel just by assessing her current lifestyle, as she has now chosen to prioritize other commitments.
“Yaani, you people have no idea what you’re talking about, so today, I’m here to set the record straight, because si kila mtu ananijua kutoka kitambo. I have experienced the finer things in life, and where you see me now—the lifestyle I lead today—is a deliberate choice. And I would pick this path over and over again. I just wrapped up my day’s errands, and I feel like it’s time to be a little petty,” she quipped in a video.
Post sparks backlash
The socialite, who is married to businessman Kennedy Rapudo, was firing back at netizens who came at her after she posted a photo of herself amid an ongoing online spat with former Miss Kenya Rachael Ndambuki, proudly declaring that she had been to 15 international countries—contrary to the claims circulating online.
This triggered an outpouring of criticism, with netizens flooding her comment section with skepticism, questioning why she was claiming to have traveled to 15 countries despite never publicly sharing posts from any destinations beyond Africa.
Some mockingly asked whether her count of 15 international countries included local ones, while others ridiculed her, stating that she didn’t deserve the title Bibi ya Tajiri if her list of visited nations was that unimpressive.
Here are some of the reactions:
@being_tsaavo: Na wewe, place mbali ushaienda ni Zanzibar. Bibi ya Tajiri ni mmoja, btw. Hata ruracio pekee haujafanyiwa na unajudge watu.
@iam_amberay clapped back, saying: “@being_tsaavo Before you come to my page with baseless assumptions, perhaps do some research. I’ve visited 15 international countries and stayed in some of the most opulent hotels—bloggers won’t spill everything, sweetie. As for my wedding, I’m taking my time because my events will never look hastily planned. Quality over quantity, always.”
@polarhoda: “International countries ni gani, Mama Atana? Ukisema 15 countries, inatosha ama, you mean kuna local countries?”
@terry.kalisa: “Hizi countries ni zipi, Mama Atana?“
At this point, the socialite lost her composure and started posting archived screenshots of her previous international trips while also justifying why she has been favoring African travel in recent years.
The first destination she showcased was Cyprus, where she boasted of having stayed at one of the most exclusive hotels. She followed up with posts from Dubai, China, Turkey, Tanzania, Spain, Santorini in Greece, Mauritius, Uganda, France, and the Netherlands.
However, contrary to her initial claim, the total number of countries amounted to 12 instead of 15, and she later clarified the discrepancy, attributing it to an honest mistake.
“So let me clear this up. I’ve been to 12 international countries and not 15 as I originally mentioned—my bad. But here’s the real deal: I’ve taken 20 international trips, all in business or first class, stayed in some of the most extravagant hotels, and explored places I genuinely love. And let’s keep it 100—90% of them weren’t all that, but hey, I gained the experience and made unforgettable memories.”
Passion for African travel
Amber Ray, who had been actively flooding her Instagram stories with receipts and posts defending her travel history, went on to declare that she does not feel obligated to travel abroad to impress people as she genuinely prefers exploring African countries.
She backed up her statement by pointing out that her love for Africa is so deep that she even named her daughter Africanah and emphasized that, at this stage in her life, her focus is on investments rather than extravagant travel.
According to her, opting to travel within Africa has nothing to do with affordability but rather a personal preference, as the luxury hotels she books during her African getaways rival those in international destinations in both price and experience.
“And when I say I love traveling in Africa, don’t get it twisted—it’s not because it’s ‘budget-friendly.’ Let me break it down for you: the last hotel we stayed at in Arusha for Valentine’s cost $1,000 per night for bed and breakfast alone. Oh, and we didn’t just show up—we traveled with a full entourage, including our stylist, photographer, and videographer.”
“My love for Africa has nothing to do with cost; it’s about the depth of the experience, the breathtaking landscapes, and the vibrant cultures. Whether it’s a five-star retreat or a spontaneous road trip, Africa holds my heart—and I will always go all out to celebrate it.”
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