This archive report was first published on 18 October 2019.
NRG Radio, a popular Kenyan radio station, has found itself in hot water after using Eliud Kipchoge's name and likeness to promote their own campaigns. This move was met with widespread criticism on social media, with many Kenyans accusing the station of attempting to gain followers by exploiting Kipchoge's fame.
As reported earlier, NRG Radio had rebranded some of their properties to 'Kipchoge radio' and used his image to promote their shows, including the 'KipchogeBreakfastClub' morning show. The station also launched a social media challenge, #NRGi8Challenge, which promised to award Kipchoge a BMW i8 if their Instagram page reached 1 million followers within 24 hours.
However, the challenge was met with skepticism, with many Kenyans questioning the station's intentions. The station's page had only slightly over 100,000 followers, and it would have needed nearly 900,000 more to reach the target.
Today, through the efforts of flamboyant city lawyer Donald Kipkorir, Kipchoge has struck back. NRG Radio has been issued a demand notice to remove any reference to Kipchoge on all their properties, to expunge his image from all their platforms, and to issue an 'unqualified apology for violation of his rights and misuse of his image.'
As if that's not enough, once the station complies with the above, they shall enter discussions on how much money they will pay for this gross miscalculation. Kipchoge might end up getting more than just the car.
