Billionaire businessman Jimmy Wanjigi has spoken out for the first time after the Daily Nation published a fake obituary with his image on Wednesday.
Speaking to CNN, the tycoon stated that he is considering taking legal action against the newspaper despite an apology issued on the matter.
He added that the obituary was in bad taste and that he had taken it as an outright threat on his life.
"It's a death promise. We are coming for you, we assure you we are going to finish you.
[caption caption="Fake obituary bearing the image of NASA financier Jimmy Wanjigi"]
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"I see the Nation Media as being part of a conspiracy of premeditated murder. I don't see which other way to see it," he stated.
Later on Thursday, the tycoon addressed Kenyan journalists while at the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) headquarters confirming his resolve to sue the media group.
"I have my team of lawyers, international lawyers who are taking up this matter with NMG.
"Yesterday (Wednesday) the acting CEO of Nation came to my home to apologise and I told him that if they are genuine about it they should give me the names of those who received this advert because they know who they are!" he stated, adamant that the publishers were in cahoots with the perpetrators of the said threat.
The fake obituary elicited fear and anger from members of the public many of whom could not comprehend how the reputable newspaper had allowed it to go to print.
One of the Nation's columnists, Nic Cheeseman, threatened to quit the paper following the outrage the obituary sparked.
NMG's management issued an apology to the businessman and assured that action had been taken against those involved.
Police investigations recovered CCTV footage of the man who is said to have planted the advert with the company's clerks who are in-charge of the obituary placements.
According to the paper, the clerks were pressed for time and did not have ample time to verify the information.
The suspect is said to have also made a Sh92,000 fee for the advert, a discounted price for what the advert would normally cost.
Here is a video of the businessman courtesy of KTN News.
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