Tanzanian influencer Mr Poul has left the internet in stitches after recounting how he and his crew were nearly turned away from the venue of Charlene Ruto’s wedding in Mwanza.
Charlene, the daughter of Kenyan President William Ruto, wed Tanzanian entrepreneur Isaya Yunge on Friday, 6 November, at Malaika Beach Hotel in Mwanza.
The event was one of the most talked-about ceremonies of the season, drawing guests from both Kenya and Tanzania under tight security.
How Poul was ‘chased’ from wedding preparations
In a video posted on his TikTok account @mrpoul_brand7, the influencer described arriving at the beachfront hotel only to be immediately intercepted by security personnel demanding to know who he was and what his business was there.
“Nimefika hapo Malaika hapo nikaambiwa ‘unapita hapa unaenda wapi?’ Nikasema jina langu ‘Paul maharusi. Wakasema ‘harusi ya nani? harusi ya nani? Wewe ni rafiki?'” he recounted, to the delight of his followers.
The exchange roughly translates to security asking where he was going, with Mr Poul cheekily introducing himself as “Paul, the groom,” only to be met with confused interrogation about which wedding and whether he was even a guest.
He went on to explain that he tried to gain entry by identifying himself and his companions as content creators who had come to document the occasion. The guards were unmoved.
“Tukasema sisi content creators wakasema ‘content creators umeambiwa hii ni shuguli ya msanii? Wamealikwa familia na marafiki’ nikasema taratibu jamani,” he said, meaning security flatly told the group that the event was not an open entertainment function but a private gathering for family and invited friends only.
Mr Poul revealed that what ultimately saved him was simply being a recognisable face in the area rather than any formal accreditation or invitation.
“Nikaskia ving’ora ni bahati najulikana. Wacha tutafute hela,” he said, suggesting that being known locally was his golden ticket in and quipping that the whole experience had him thinking about chasing a pay cheque.
He also noted that the entire town of Mwanza had come alive because of the wedding, describing a buzzing atmosphere surrounding the high-profile event.
The video quickly gained traction online, with viewers finding the candid narration both funny and relatable, particularly those who had attempted to get close to the venue.
Many sympathised with content creators who were locked out of what turned out to be a carefully controlled, invitation-only celebration.
