Mutua to sue Nation Media Group for defamation

By Newsflash Reporter

Music Copyright Society of Kenya (MCSK) Chief Executive Officer, Dr Ezekiel Mutua, has announced plans to take legal action against Nation Media Group over what he has termed as a defamatory and malicious advert published in the Daily Nation.

The controversy erupted on Friday after the newspaper ran an advertisement claiming that Mutua had been removed from his position at the helm of MCSK and warning the public against conducting any business with him.

In response, MCSK quickly moved to defend its CEO, issuing a statement dismissing the advert as false, defamatory, and the result of a fraudulent scheme. The society clarified that Mutua remained firmly in his position and that the advert had been published without the organization’s knowledge or consent.

“The advert was maliciously paid for and published by the newspaper,” MCSK stated, emphasizing that the organization had already reported the matter to the authorities.

Fraudulent payment and legal action

In a detailed account shared on Saturday, 10 May, 2025, Mutua said he became aware of the planned publication of the advert a day earlier and had attempted to prevent it after discovering unauthorized transactions from the organization’s bank account.

“A leading media house once published an obituary for a prominent businessman who was still alive, failing to conduct proper due diligence despite his well-known and respected status,” Dr. Mutua said, drawing a parallel to his own ordeal.

He recounted the events leading to the advert’s publication, revealing that he was alerted on Wednesday evening to suspicious withdrawals from MCSK’s bank account, including a payment to Nation Media Group.

Music Copyright Society of Kenya (MCSK) Chief Executive Officer, Dr Ezekiel Mutua at his office. Photo/Ezekiel Mutua/X

“On Thursday, I learned that a malicious advert targeting me was set to appear in the Daily Nation. After investigating, I confirmed this was true, especially since the previous evening we had detected unauthorized withdrawals from our bank account, including a payment to the Nation,” he said.

Mutua added that the organization had immediately reported the transactions to the Banking Fraud Investigations Unit and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).

Reached out to NMG

Determined to stop the publication, Mutua said he reached out to Nation Media Group and personally contacted senior managers he was familiar with, presenting evidence that the payment was made through fraudulent means and that the advert was intended to defame him.

“I contacted the Nation, explained the situation, and even spoke with senior managers I know, sharing details of the fraud and the planned defamation. They acknowledged the advert artwork was prepared and payment received but assured me they would not publish it after receiving my letter,” he explained.

However, to his dismay, the newspaper went ahead and published the advert.

“To my shock, I started receiving notifications of the advert at midnight—the Nation ran it despite all the information proving it false,” Mutua said.

He added that his legal team had since issued a formal demand letter to Nation Media Group, seeking a retraction and public apology. However, as of Saturday, he said the media company had not responded.

“Yesterday, my lawyers sent a demand letter for a retraction and apology, which the Nation has ignored. We will now resolve this matter in court,” Mutua declared.

Nation Media Group had not issued an official response by the time of publication.