Julia Achieng, also known as Beyoncé, a Mombasa-based events promoter, is taking legal action against a local newspaper for defamation. The lawsuit stems from a story claiming her valuables were auctioned due to unpaid rent.
A story published by the newspaper alleged that Beyoncé's belongings were auctioned off to cover rent arrears totaling Sh 99,000. The report cited Marion Chebet, the property owner, who stated that Beyoncé had not paid rent for five months while living in her Kiembeni house.
According to Chebet, she obtained a court order allowing the auction of Beyoncé's possessions. However, the auctioneers reportedly only collected Sh8,000, as Beyoncé had allegedly vacated the premises before the auction took place.
In an interview with Nairobi News, Beyoncé denied the claims, stating that the story damaged her reputation and was written with malice. She asserted that she was never contacted for comment and that the story was entirely false.
Beyoncé expressed her intention to sue the newspaper for defamation, saying, "What’s with all this nonsense, this story is all full of lies. I still live in the house and not a single belonging has been auctioned as reported."
She further explained that her dispute with Chebet revolves around a rent increase from Sh 17,000 to Sh22, 000. Beyoncé has filed a case against Chebet, which is scheduled to be mentioned in court on May 19, 2015.
