Blankets & Wine: 'Nobody is suing us'

Muthoni Ndonga, the founder and Creative Director of Blankets & Wine, has denied recent reports and online speculation suggesting the popular festival brand is facing a lawsuit.

Speaking at a media event held at Nairobi Street Kitchen on October 29, 2025, Ndonga addressed the controversy that erupted following the September 28 edition of Blankets & Wine, which was met with significant public criticism online.

Ndonga clarified the situation regarding a complaint reportedly filed with the Competition Authority of Kenya (CAK).

"We actually saw someone on Twitter (X) said they had filed a complaint to Competition authority, I believe?" Ndonga stated, recounting the genesis of the rumour.

"And so, we waited to hear from the Competition Authority, we waited to hear what the complaint is, and we haven't heard what the complaint is."

She further explained that despite the public claims, no formal case had been initiated.

"They (CAK) receive thousands of vexatious complaints, and if you do make a complaint you have to back up your complaint, and in 40 days or 30 days. Today was the lapse of the 30 days, so, they don't have a full-on complaint, there is no investigation, there is no suing."

What was the intent behind it?

Ndonga also turned her attention to the media's portrayal of the situation, questioning the motivations behind certain reports.

"I think what's pissing me off about this story is the intent behind it. And there's intent on multiple parts," she asserted.

While agreeing that aggrieved customers have the right to recourse, stating, "The person who feels 'ok, I didn't get what I wanted' is well within their rights to do anything that they want, to seek redress," she also critically examined the framing of the story in reporting.

"But the person who then reports that story, leads to this kind of perception, that we're (Blankets & Wine brand) being sued for millions and millions of shillings, um, I wonder what the intent there (was)," she pondered, implying a deliberate effort to misrepresent the situation for sensationalist purposes, despite the absence of an actual lawsuit.

Kenya's takedown culture - "We want you to suffer"

Ndonga concluded by reflecting on what she perceives as a prevailing societal attitude contributing to the negativity.

"There's something I find quite strange about that. Our desire, our takedown culture. We're gonna take you down. We want you to suffer, we want to punish you," she theorised, suggesting that a pervasive 'takedown culture' among Kenyans fuels the desire for public condemnation and suffering rather than constructive engagement.