Marini products CEO Michelle Ntalami has moved to court seeking compensation for alleged damage of reputation by a cast member of the Real Housewives of Nairobi.
In a suit application dated September 25, through Kilonzo and Company Advocates, Ntalami listed the defendants as actress Minne Kariuki, Young Rich Television Limited, M-Net and D&R Studios Limited.
She claimed general and aggravated damages from Kariuki for alleged false and malicious words written and spoken concerning her.
This was done on diverse dates between February 23, and March 2, 2023.
Ntalami also wants compensation from Young Rich TV, M-net and D&R for producing, publishing and distributing radio, TV, print and digital media the aforesaid words.
The entrepreneur also said she had suffered mental and psychological damage, and asked the court to grant her compensation for the same.
She further asked that she be compensated for being cyber-bullied and, breach of her rights to privacy and data protection.
Ntalami is also seeking an order directing the defendants to permanently remove from circulation all images, audio-visual and any other content of reference to her from the show.
"An unconditional public apology and admission of liability for defamation and cyberbullying from the 1st Defendant (Kariuki) to be published and given the same prominence and magnitude on radio, TV, print and social media on Instagram, X and TikTok as where the defamation occurred at her cost," the application reads.
The same has also been asked of the other defendants.
Ntalami also sought declarations of her constitutional rights including her right to privacy and good reputation.
Further, the breach affected her rights over her identity, likeness, image, photography, audio and visual recordings.
She also wants to be compensated for the violations.
Ntalami said she was filmed on November 8, 2022, during a 'Sip & Scent' event at Tribe Hotel, without prior knowledge or consent.
She said she asked the filming crew for Actor's agreement/consent form but received none, even during the post-production stage of the show.
Her counsel said she therefore did not give any consent to any videotape, audiotape, film, portray, photograph or otherwise record of her image or trade in connection with The Real Housewives of Nairobi.
The entrepreneur is featured in the first, second and Reunion episodes of the series.
She also featured in commercials, advertisements and various social media pages of M-net and D&R Studios.
Ntalami said she began facing cyber-bullying from Kariuki as soon as the show began airing.
She accused the actress of publishing and speaking with malice about her in a manner that attacked her personality, character, good social standing, business, personal and business brand.
The defamatory remarks, she said, greatly injured her credit, standing and reputation personally and in her business.
"In February 2023, the Plaintiff had made plans to travel overseas to further expand her growing business. She had secured strategic and high-level business meetings with her overseas partners," the suit reads.
"However, all this did not materialise due to the negative effect the Real Housewives of Nairobi Show had on her psychological and mental health. The plaintiff suffered missed business opportunities and growth plans, which took a backseat as a result."
In addition, Ntalami accused Kariuki of having printed and wore a t-shirt with defamatory remarks against her and even created an Instagram page which sold such merchandise.
Of these, the plaintiff also claimed damages from the commercial profits of the sale and the exponential increase in Kariuki's social media following.