Businessman Jimi Wanjigi might alk away with Ksh100 from the Nation Media coffers if he successfully convinces the court his rights were violated by a fake obituary the daily carried.

In his court documents, Wanjigi stated that the action led to breach of his right to privacy and caused his loved ones mental anguish.

Carelessness

He filed the petition against the Daily Nation over an obituary they published in February, which claimed he had died.

Lawyer Willis Otieno, who is representing Wanjigi argued that the advert treated his client as a dead body.

He further stated that the advert in question had disclosed details of Wanjigi's family and their whereabouts which had exposed them to danger.

Wanjigi accused the NMG of carelessness, stating that it ought to have verified the information before publishing the death advert.

NMG, however, denied it breached Wanjigi’s rights in any way simply because the businessman waded into public space and as such, his life became important to the public.

Varying Details

The media house further argued that although the photograph in the obituary appeared to be Wanjigi’s the names were of a different person, one James Richard Wanjagi.

Through their lawyers the media house maintained that Wanjigi's home location was already known to the public due to a police raid.

The Aga Khan owned media house absolved itself of any wrongdoing noting that the advert was paid for by a third party, hence it was impossible to hold it to bear the responsibility to verify the same.