Nation Media Group's (NMG) investigative reporter Brian Obuya is seeking Ksh10 million compensation against eight parties including bloggers and online media companies for defaming his name after publishing an article about his alleged arrest.
In the court documents seen by Kenyans.co.ke, Obuya stated that the articles insinuated that he was caught in a compromising situation with another man's wife before his arrest.
The articles, which were published in December 2022, claimed that the homeowner sought the journalist to be prosecuted for trespassing on his property.
Through law firm, Iseme Kamau and Maema, Obuya acknowledged that he suffered immense damage to his character over the publications.
"The Plaintiff (Obuya) avers that following the publications of the said statements, he began receiving telephone calls and messages from members of his family, colleagues at workplaces, church, acquaintances, and professional fraternity questioning him on the same," read part of the court document.
"The Plaintiff has as a result of the foregoing been seriously injured in his character, credibility, reputation, and social standing as a journalist and a businessman as some people shun him which has caused him enormous anxiety, mental agony, distress, financial loss and damage."
In particular, Obuya took issue with the online publications sharing the information without ascertaining the validity of the claims.
He also questioned the integrity of the journalists and digital publishers, wondering why they didn't reach out to him to verify the matter.
The journalist added that the publications neither retracted the articles nor issued an apology over the matter despite a demand notice issued to them.
"Despite demand and notice of intention to institute the proceedings, the Defendants have refused, neglected and/or otherwise failed to admit liability or even tender a retraction with a suitable apology thereto thereby rendering this suit necessary."
The reporter seeks the accused to produce the following as evidence; the wife, the husband, the alleged conversation between Obuya and the wife, and also the police report of the alleged arrest.
He also seeks a permanent injunction restraining the eight accused from publishing any material concerning him as well as an apology and retraction of the stories.
