This archive report was first published on 7 August 2019.
On August 7, 2019, Victor Wanyama, the captain of the Kenya National football team Harambee Stars and a midfielder for Tottenham Hotspur, took Menengai Oil Company to court over a tweet that used his image without his consent.
Menengai, an oil refining company, had tweeted a message wishing Harambee Stars well during the African Cup of Nations Championship, accompanied by Wanyama's photo.
Wanyama argued that the tweet was meant to promote Menengai's business, not to show support for the team, and that using his photo alone was not a genuine expression of support.
He sought a court declaration that Menengai's actions violated his image and personality rights, and that the image published by the company constituted a marketing advertisement.
Wanyama also sought compensation from Menengai for the damages he suffered as a result of the image rights violation.
