A heated dispute has erupted between content creator Flaqo, OPPO Kenya, and marketing agency AIfluence over unpaid influencer fees for the OPPO Reno12 series campaign.
Flaqo Calls Out OPPO & AIfluence Over Unfulfilled Payments
Comedian Flaqo took to social media to expose serious concerns about how content creators were allegedly mistreated. According to him, influencers were pushed to create three months’ worth of content in just two weeks, under promises of timely payment—which never materialized.
Flaqo, who heavily promoted the Reno12’s AI features during an August 2024 event, revealed that five months later, he and other creators were still waiting for their payments.
OPPO Kenya Responds: “We’ve Paid AIfluence”
Earlier today, OPPO Kenya issued a formal statement, denying direct responsibility for the issue. The company stated that:
✅ It had made full payments to AIfluence—a 50% down payment at the start and the remaining 50% on October 25, 2024.
✅ Influencers had signed contracts directly with AIfluence, not OPPO Kenya.
✅ OPPO had no direct contractual obligation to pay the creators.
AIfluence Goes Silent, OPPO Takes Legal Action
The saga took an unexpected turn when Flaqo’s legal team discovered that AIfluence had seemingly vacated its offices, making it difficult to pursue legal action for unpaid dues.
Frustrated, Flaqo publicly slammed OPPO, arguing that brands should vet their marketing partners more carefully before engaging creators.
Meanwhile, OPPO Kenya has filed a defamation lawsuit against AIfluence and has offered legal assistance to affected influencers. However, none of the creators have taken up the offer so far.
Bigger Issues in Kenya’s Influencer Industry
This controversy has once again highlighted the risks influencers face when working through intermediary agencies. Many creators operate on verbal agreements, unclear contracts, or delayed payments, making them vulnerable to such disputes.
While the legal battle unfolds, one thing is clear: this saga will likely serve as a wake-up call for Kenyan content creators to demand greater transparency and fair payment structures in digital marketing campaigns.
