A lawsuit threat issued by 42 kilometre World record-holder Kipchoge Keino, through his lawyer Donald Kipkorir, against NRG Radio has backfired following an online backlash his advocate received for the move.
On Friday, Kipchoge issued three demands to NRG radio demanding compliance within two hours over violation of his image, name and reputation.
The demands filed by the athlete’s lawyer directed the radio station to remove Kipchoge’s name and images in its social media accounts and blogs, file an apology for the violations and give a written compliance response indicating that they are willing to engage in monetary compensation over the violations.
On the same day Lawyer Kipkorir, while responding to a question by one of his followers confirmed that the radio station had heeded to the demands.
However, the move to issue a threat against the radio station did not augor well with a section of online users who castigated the lawyer for misleading the athlete.
Director of Communications in the office of the Deputy President(DP) Emmanuel Talam slammed the lawyer saying he had destroyed Kipchoge’s image.
“Donald is a fine lawyer but he’s a horrible PR manager…in one shot he’s destroyed history. Anyway, it’s all about the pocket,” he tweeted.
Donald is a fine lawyer but he's a horrible PR manager…in one shot he's destroyed history. Anyway it's all about the pocket @OleItumbi
— emmanuel talam (@EmmanuelTalam) October 18, 2019
Digital blogger linked to the office of the DP also criticized the move and urged the radio station to ignore lawyer Kipkorir and seek audience with the athlete through a phone call.
“Dear @NRGRadioKenya, ignore any #slayqueenlawyer, she shouts but does not know how to bite. She has served me those letters before threatening a defamation suit, I told her to go ahead, I am still waiting almost two years later! But pick your phone and talk to Eliud…,” tweeted Itumbi.
Dear @NRGRadioKenya, ignore any #slayqueenlawyer, she shouts but does not know how to bite. She has served me those letters before threatening a defamation suit, I told her to go ahead, I am still waiting almost two years later! But pick your phone and talk to Eliud…
— Dennis Itumbi, HSC (@OleItumbi) October 19, 2019
Senate Majority leader Kipchumba Murkomen also castigated the move saying the athlete was misadvised. He also urged the Lawyer and the athlete to address the matter in a simple way through a phone call.
Here is how other Kenyans reacted to the lawsuit threat:
Mmmh. Hapana. Hapo ata mimi I agree with Murkomen. If he sues, NRG ata ni pesa ngapi unawaitisha? Just tell them to stop henceforth.
— fidelisfidel™ (@fidelmmoja) October 18, 2019
But Kip. would have just called the Station and ask them to immediately Stop using His name, than make it a Public matter!
— JAYMu. (@JamesMuka2) October 19, 2019
That jamaa incited him. Kipchoge seems nice and probably unbothered.
— Kamau 🇰🇪 (@kamau07) October 18, 2019
I think DBK you missed the point here, Eliud Kipchoge is probably our greatest athletics or sports export at the moment, so ideally within some margin of error we should be able to play with his name. He shouldn't be quick to sue us. I humbly submit. 🙏
— Japheth Odonya (@odonya) October 18, 2019