This archive report was first published on 21 August 2020.
NTV journalist Dennis Okari is in hot water over his COVID-19 Millionaires exposé, which has sparked a lawsuit from Megascope Healthcare Ltd.
According to a demand letter seen by Kenyans.co.ke, the lawyers acting on behalf of Megascope Healthcare Ltd have asked NTV to remove the exposé from all its platforms, including social media and YouTube.
The letter, dated August 2020, also demands an unreserved and unconditional apology to be broadcasted during NTV's primetime bulletin at 9pm.
Megascope Healthcare Ltd is seeking a full admission of liability for defamation, which will open discussions on damages payable to the firm.
NTV has been given a deadline of Friday, August 21 to meet the demands, failure to which the station would be sued.
The lawsuit is seeking damages for alleged slander and libel, with Megascope Healthcare Ltd arguing that NTV relied on suspicious and unverified sources for the exposé.
The firm claims that it was not contracted by KEMSA to clear any consignment on its behalf, contrary to Okari's investigative piece.
"Our client did not receive any kits donated from China or anywhere else for distribution to Kenyans," the firm's lawyers maintained.
"Our client did not receive any masks or any other material whatsoever from Jack Ma or any other donor for distribution to Kenyans," they added.
Despite the threats of legal action, National Action Against Corruption Director Gordwins Agutu, who was Okari's source in the exposé, remains unmoved.
"They will be beaten fair and square in their own game," he declared.
