Court bars Sarah Kabu from posting defamatory statements against ex-hubby Simon

The High Court has barred Sarah Njoki, the estranged wife of Bonfire Adventures founder Simon Kabu, from posting or publishing alleged defamatory statements against him.

Justice Janet Mulwa issued an injunction barring Njoki, her servants, agents, bloggers, or other people acting on her behalf from disseminating an internal memo dated December 18, 2024.

The judge also barred her from using the social media platforms or conducting media press briefings against Kabu until his defamation suit is heard and determined.

“The defendant (Njoki) is restrained from writing, producing, broadcasting, and publishing alleged defamatory information in any manner whatsoever about the plaintiff (Kabu),” ruled Mulwa.

The judge ordered Njoki to pull down and expunge the defamatory statements from all forms of media, including print, broadcast, digital, and social media.

Further, the court directed that Njoki make a public apology using the same platforms she used to publish the alleged defamatory statements.

Mulwa ruled that Kabu’s application had established a prima facie case to warrant the issuance of the injunction orders.

“The plaintiff would suffer irreparable harm if the injunctive orders are not granted,” ruled the judge.

According to Mulwa, Kabu’s application succeeded on a balance of convenience. She also noted that Njoki did not deny that she published the alleged defamatory statements.

The court noted that Kabu proved that, based on the published statements, his reputation was tarnished and his company lost clients.

Kabu, through his lawyer Judith Kamoing, sued Njoki, claiming she defamed him across staff meetings, in WhatsApp broadcasts, in an Instagram post, in a press briefing, and in an internal memo.

He submitted that Njoki published grave allegations against him without a shred of admissible proof.

“Each imputation was demonstrably false and was squarely targeting me and was disseminated to audiences uniquely positioned to magnify the harm,” he deposed.

He said Njoki’s conduct inflicted him with grave injury, including ruining his reputation, and the campaign continued persistently.

“Without the swift intervention of the court, I stand to suffer irreparable loss of commercial standing, professional esteem, and any realistic prospect of restoring my good name,” he deposed.

He attached an email dated December 9, 2024, where a client who had been on a payment plan for one of the company’s products cancelled their booking and requested a refund.

In response, Njoki attempted to justify her posts, publications, and the interviews she did, insisting that she meant no harm to Kabu.

She said she was protecting her business interests and that the posts were true and based on facts within her knowledge.

“The statements were not made with malice or intention to harm and were taken out of context,” she claimed.

She added that she spoke following concerns raised by employees, and she also wanted to seek justice over Kabu’s alleged threats and intimidation.

The two have been managing a tours and travel company since they co-founded it in 2007.

In the main petition, Kabu wants damages for libel, malicious falsehood and harm caused to his reputation.

He seeks aggravated and exemplary damages, to ensure Njoki accounts for her alleged malicious, reckless, and deliberate actions.

“The defendant (Njoki) should compensate the plaintiff (Kabu) for mental anguish and embarrassment suffered,” he submitted.

Further, Kabu wants a permanent injunction restraining Njoki from publishing or disseminating further the alleged defamatory statements to blogs, social media, or press briefs.

The petition will be mentioned on July 22.