Kenya celebrates first-ever Oscars win

Lupita Nyong’o accepts the award for best actress in a supporting role for “12 Years a Slave” during the Oscars at the Dolby Theatre on Sunday, March 2, 2014, in Los Angeles. AP

NAIROBI, Kenya—Kenyan actress Lupita Nyong’o was hailed as a national hero on Monday for stunning Hollywood in her big-screen debut and scooping the best supporting actress Oscar for her role as an abused servant in “12 Years a Slave.”

President Uhuru Kenyatta said she was the “Pride of Africa,” and promised to set up a Kenyan film school and a network of creative academies in the country.

“Lupita reminds us of all that is possible for the youth of this nation when they set their hearts and minds to a great task—in her own words, ‘no matter where you’re from, your dreams are valid,'” Kenyatta said.

RELATED STORY

Lupita Nyong’o wins Oscar for supporting actress