The Nation Media Group has been ordered to pay Kenyan tycoon Jimi Wanjigi and his wife Sh8 million over a fake obituary of the businessman published in the Daily Nation newspaper in February 2018.
In the obituary, the newspaper claimed that the businessman had passed away.
In a ruling on Friday, High Court’s Justice Wilfrida Okwany has ruled that the publication breached Wanjigi’s privacy in publishing the fake death announcement.
The court has further said that the newspaper earned money from the obituary and has awarded Wanjigi and his wife Irene Nzisa Sh4 million each for the anguish and pain they suffered as a result.
In his suit against the giant media house, the businessman told the court that the fake obituary caused him and his family mental anguish.
Wanjigi had asked the court to award him a compensation of Sh100 million.
“The obituary read that the first applicant was supposed to be buried at Langata cemetery. The obituary treated him as an object while still alive and was against his right to dignity,” lawyer Willis Otieno submitted.
He further explained that the obituary gave details about his family and their whereabouts thus exposing them to danger.
What was DN’s defense? Did…
What was DN’s defense? Did they show up in court?