Nairobi News

It became known as the #sonkochallenge after the flamboyant politician made a video of himself bragging about having Sh52 million in dollars and Kenyan shillings stacked in aluminum boxes at his residence.

This was followed by several other Kenyans bragging about having millions of shillings in their homes and bank accounts, including a former street kid, comedians Obina, Eric Omondi and Mulamwah.

Also read: Watch: Mungu amenibariki! Jaguar proudly ‘declares his wealth’

Suddenly, they were all flashing money on social media, bragging about how rich they were as a way of insulting their critics.

Their videos went viral, some for faking their bank balances, others for treating money like garbage and others as hustlers who said they would never sleep in a house with drawers not full of money.

Nairobi News wondered what these men were trying to prove to each other by using their money mainly as a tool to show off, as opposed to anything else. We ended up thinking that some people who brag about having millions in cash probably suffer from the following stereotypes

Being overly materialistic

Bragging about money and possessions can be seen as an attempt to compensate for personal insecurities or feelings of inadequacy. This stereotype suggests that people who brag about their wealth may be trying to seek validation or boost their self-esteem – especially when it comes to dismissing people who have attacked them.

Also read: Ringtone: Bahati grew his wealth from church contributions

Arrogance

Bragging about money and possessions can be associated with arrogance or a sense of superiority. This stereotype implies that people who engage in such behaviour believe they are better than others simply because of their financial status. This could be seen in Sonko’s video, where he hurled one expletive after another, saying he was richer than people who criticised him.

Attention-seeking

In a world where influencer chasing is a means of gaining followers and potential brand partnerships, bragging about wealth and possessions is often used as a way of seeking attention and admiration from others. This stereotype suggests that individuals who engage in this behaviour have a strong desire to be the centre of attention and gain social validation.

Also read: This man Pastor Ezekiel Odero: From fisherman to wealthy televangelist

Lack of substance

Bragging about money and possessions can lead to the assumption that these individuals lack depth or substance beyond their material wealth. This stereotype implies that their focus on the superficial prevents them from developing meaningful relationships or pursuing other important aspects of life.

Insecurity

Bragging about money and possessions can be seen as an attempt to compensate for personal insecurities or feelings of inadequacy. This stereotype suggests that people who brag about their wealth may be trying to seek validation or boost their self-esteem.

While it is important to note that the above stereotypes do not accurately reflect the motivations and characteristics of every individual who engages in bragging behaviour, people are complex and their behaviour can be influenced by various factors beyond the stereotypes.

Also read: Anerlisa hints Ben Pol did not get any of her wealth after divorce