Flaqo Calls Out OPPO and AIfluence Over Unpaid Work – OPPO Issues Statement

OPPO Kenya has released a statement addressing influencer payment concerns following public complaints from comedian and content creator Flaqo (@flaqo411 on Instagram), who claims he has not been paid for his work promoting the OPPO Reno 12 series. The dispute stems from a contractual agreement between OPPO Kenya and AIfluence, a marketing agency responsible for managing influencer partnerships.

Background of the Dispute

Flaqo, who participated in OPPO’s AI-focused event in August 2024, has accused both OPPO Kenya and AIfluence of pressuring him and his team to create and publish three months’ worth of content within two weeks, only to be left unpaid five months later. He argues that while OPPO maintains they paid AIfluence, the brand still bears responsibility for ensuring its chosen agency fulfills its obligations to content creators.

This situation has reignited discussions on payment delays within Kenya’s influencer marketing space, where many content creators frequently experience late payments or unpaid campaign dues.

OPPO Kenya’s Response

In its official holding statement, OPPO Kenya clarifies that the company fulfilled its financial obligations to AIfluence. The company outlines the following key points:

• AIfluence was responsible for handling influencer contracts, deliverables, and payments.
• OPPO Kenya made a 50% down payment to AIfluence at the start of the campaign and completed the remaining 50% payment on October 25, 2024.
• All influencers in the campaign had direct contracts with AIfluence, not OPPO Kenya.
• OPPO Kenya claims it has offered legal assistance, including covering legal costs, to affected influencers, but none have taken up this offer.
• OPPO Kenya has filed legal action against AIfluence for defamation and brand harm, citing the agency’s failure to pay the influencers.

Despite its legal stance, OPPO Kenya states it does not condone the frustration faced by affected influencers and remains committed to ensuring their rights are protected.

What’s Next?

The case highlights the growing concerns around transparency and accountability in Kenya’s influencer marketing industry. While OPPO Kenya has distanced itself from direct liability, the situation raises ethical questions about a brand’s responsibility when outsourcing influencer contracts through third-party agencies.

This developing situation also underscores the risks influencers face when signing contracts through intermediaries rather than directly with brands.

As legal proceedings unfold, it remains to be seen how AIfluence will respond, and whether other influencers will come forward with similar grievances.