The High Court has ordered Nation Media group to pay businessman Jimmy Wanjigi and his wife Irene Ksh8 million for publishing a false obituary in February 2018 claiming the city tycoon was dead.
In a ruling delivered on Friday morning by High Court Judge Wilfrida Okwany, the judge ruled that the publication breached Wanjigi’s privacy.
He therefore ruled that the newspaper enjoyed profit from the obituary and should therefore award Wanjigi Ksh4 million and his wife an equal amount for causing her anguish and pain.
Through his lawyers, Wanjigi told the court that the obituary caused him mental anguish.
He further noted that the supposed death announcement published was horrific and not only hurt hum but also affected his family a great deal.
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During the filing of the application in court, Wanjigi has asked for a compensation of Ksh100 million.
His lawyer Willis Otieno has mentioned: “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.”
He further mentioned that the obituary disclosed his family and their whereabouts hence exposing them to danger.
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