Former Nation Media Group (NMG) Advertising Director, Michael Ngugi, has responded to reports alleging that the recently published fake obituary of billionaire businessman Jimi Wanjigi was to blame for his exit from the firm.
On Tuesday, NMG announced that Ngugi had retired, praising him for his commitment and contribution to the media house's success.
In an exclusive conversation with Kenyans.co.ke on Wednesday, Ngugi affirmed that he opted to go for early retirement, laughing off claims that the fake obituary cost him his job.
"Ask yourself, if a junior employee makes a mistake, would I be fired for it?" he posed.
Ngugi has been at NMG for the past 16 years.
[caption caption="Former NMG Advertising Director Michael Ngugi (Courtesy)"]
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The fake obituary in question was published in the February 7 edition of the Daily Nation.
The obituary featured a photo of Wanjigi as well as his children's names and the school they were enrolled in, among other details.
Only Wanjigi's name had been slightly edited to read 'James Richard Wanjagi'.
The NASA-allied businessman vowed to sue NMG, describing the obituary as 'a death promise'.
"I don't take it lightly and I must say what they did was horrific...it did not hurt me as much as it hurt my family," he stated.
Ngugi's exit caps weeks of drama at Nation Centre, with reports that emerged on Tuesday alleging that Managing Editor Linus Kaikai had been fired.
[caption caption="NMG Managing Editor Linus Kaikai"]
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