This archive report was first published on 29 June 2020.
On January 21, 2020, Justice Hellen Wasilwa rejected an appeal filed by Brookside Dairies and Gicheha Farms against David Gicheru, an 80-year-old plumber.
The firms, associated with the Kenyatta family, had engaged in a court battle with Gicheru after he was sacked in 2018 for complaining over the use of his picture in a company calendar.
According to reports, Gicheru's picture was used in promotional material for Brookside in various East African countries without his consent.
On June 2, 2018, Gicheru was dismissed after refusing to drop the case, and he later sought compensation from the company's management.
Justice Wasilwa noted that the companies did not deny receiving court papers from Gicheru in October 2019 and failed to attend court and file necessary documents.
"In this court's view, the counsel for the respondents ignored their duty to the respondents and failed to attend court and file the necessary documents. This omission cannot be excused," she noted.
The court found in Gicheru's favour and directed that he be paid Ksh1.5 million for use of his picture and Ksh139,000 being 11 months compensation in line with his pay package following the dismissal.
