Kenyan content creator Sheryl Gabriella has alleged that she was defrauded after taking part in an international competition held in Burkina Faso.
Speaking during a TikTok livestream, an emotional Sheryl said she had been selected to represent Kenya in the inaugural Battle of Nations competition in Ouagadougou.
The event, held under the theme Solidarity and African Integration, brought together participants from several African countries.
According to Sheryl, the competition relied on public voting, with contestants competing for a grand prize.
She claimed that after the contest began, participants were required to make daily payments to remain competitive, a requirement she said had not been made clear beforehand.
Sheryl said the financial demands became overwhelming, forcing her to withdraw from the competition.
She accused the organizers of using the contest to collect money from participants, allegations that have not been independently verified.
During the livestream, she became emotional while describing her experience and the impact it had on her.
The video quickly attracted attention on social media, with many viewers expressing sympathy and support.
Some called for investigations into the competition, while others urged people to be cautious before committing money to international contests.
By the time of publication, the organizers of the Battle of Nations had not publicly responded to Sheryl’s claims.
The incident has renewed discussion about the need to verify the credibility of international competitions before paying entry fees or travelling to participate.
Sheryl has not said whether she intends to pursue legal action against the organizers. Meanwhile, her supporters continue to encourage her as discussions around the allegations continue online.