Digital safety: Popular Nakuru model reveals how her photo became target of online abuse
Nakuru based model Valarie Kulola
Every photograph Valerie Kulola posted online represented a dream taking shape. As a young commercial model, each image built her portfolio, expanded her reach and opened doors to new opportunities. But in the age of artificial intelligence, those same photos became weapons in the hands of scammers.
First, someone stole her identity to create a fake Tinder profile. Then, her face was digitally manipulated into an AI-generated romantic video viewed by thousands without her knowledge or consent.
What began as a pursuit of opportunity quickly became a painful lesson in Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence (TFGBV). Rather than retreat from the digital world, Kulola chose to fight back. Today, she is educating others, challenging harmful online behavior and advocating for safer digital spaces where women and girls can thrive without fear of exploitation.
For Kulola, social media was never meant to be a battlefield.
The Egerton University graduate joined online platforms to showcase her modelling work, build her portfolio and connect with friends. Through carefully curated photographs and creative content, she attracted opportunities to work with brands.
"I started as a commercial model and content creator while in university. I loved photography, and social media became a place where I could showcase my work," she said.
Her first encounter with TFGBV came unexpectedly in 2025 when a friend asked whether she had joined Tinder. Confused, Kulola said she had never used the dating app. Her friend then shared a screenshot showing a fake Tinder account created using her photographs.
"I wasn't even on Tinder. Even worse was that they had used my photos on an LGBTQ profile. My biggest fear wasn't that people would think I was on a dating site. I was worried someone was using my image to scam or catfish innocent people," she recalled.
The experience left her anxious. She feared relatives would believe the fake account belonged to her and that strangers could associate her with crimes committed by the impersonator.
"I thought cyber violence was people insulting you in comment sections. I didn't know impersonation was also a form of Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence," she said.
Unable to report the account directly because she was not a Tinder user, she asked friends to flag it while warning her followers that the profile was fake.
"I wanted to take back my voice. Someone else was trying to tell my story, so I had to reclaim my narrative."
Just when she thought the ordeal was over, another violation emerged.
Earlier this year, a former classmate sent her an AI-generated romantic video featuring what appeared to be Kulola embracing a man. The clip had been created by manipulating one of her professional modelling photographs.
"It looked like me, but it wasn't me. The picture had never been a video," she explained.
Uploaded on TikTok and YouTube, the deepfake had already attracted hundreds of views and shares before she discovered it. As a commercial model, she says her image is her brand.
Although she reported the video, TikTok repeatedly rejected her complaints.
"It kept telling me my report was not valid. How do you explain that it is your face, but not your video?"
She eventually contacted the creator, who removed the content after learning she had not consented to its use. But by then, others had already downloaded and shared it.
Today, Kulola openly shares her experience at TFGBV awareness forums, helping women recognize online abuse, preserve evidence and seek help.
"When I tell my story, it helps me heal. More importantly, it lets other people know they are not alone."
She is urging governments, law enforcement agencies and technology companies to strengthen digital safety policies, improve reporting systems and hold perpetrators accountable as AI-generated abuse becomes more sophisticated.
"We all have a responsibility to use technology responsibly. Just because you can manipulate someone's image doesn't mean you should."
By speaking out, Kulola has transformed personal violations into a powerful call for awareness and action, proving that while artificial intelligence can be used to deceive and exploit, courage and collective action can ensure technology empowers rather than harms.