A nanny identified in court papers as JK has filed a lawsuit against Simon Kabu and his estranged wife Sarah Njoki Nyaga, the proprietors of Bonfire Adventures, millions in damages.
The lawsuit, filed at the Employment and Labour Relations division of the High Court, seeks over Sh21 million in damages for an alleged breach of privacy, cyberbullying, and emotional distress following the viral circulation of a home CCTV video.
A Controversial Employment
JK, a trained teacher, was employed by the Kabus in June 2024 to care for their two children.
However, she claims her employment was a pretext to use her as a scapegoat in the couple’s highly publicized marital disputes.
The saga began in July 2024, when Sarah—who had moved out of the couple’s Edenville residence on Kiambu Road—returned home unexpectedly, demanding custody of her children.
According to court documents, tensions escalated when Sarah, suspecting an affair between JK and Simon, allegedly fired her on the spot.
The next morning, Sarah reportedly confronted JK in her bedroom, hurling insults laced with sexual innuendos before physically attacking her with a kitchen knife.
JK sustained a cut on her arm, sought medical treatment, and reported the matter to the police.
Alleged Interference in Criminal Case
JK claims that Sarah was initially set to be charged with assault and causing actual bodily harm—a charge that carries a potential five-year prison sentence.
However, she alleges that Simon and Sarah colluded with law enforcement officials to delay or obstruct the prosecution.
Despite an approval from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), Sarah was not arraigned, and JK was allegedly pressured by investigating officers to settle the matter out of court.
In October 2024, JK reluctantly agreed to a settlement, which included a Sh250,000 payment from Simon.
However, she now argues that she agreed under duress due to alleged bias in law enforcement handling the case.
CCTV Footage Leak and Privacy Breach
While JK believed the incident had been resolved, she was blindsided on December 4, 2024, when CCTV footage from the Kabus’ home surfaced online, sparking social media speculation about her alleged involvement with Simon.
JK insists she was unaware that the cameras had recorded her, arguing that the couple failed to notify her of their presence—a violation of Article 35 of the Kenyan Constitution, which guarantees the right to access information that may affect one’s rights.
She further claims that Simon leaked the footage, either deliberately or negligently, to a Bonfire Adventures WhatsApp group, from where it spread across social media platforms.
The ensuing backlash led to cyberbullying and reputational damage, forcing JK to retreat to her rural home in Meru.
She alleges that the incident has caused her significant mental anguish, loss of weight, and social ostracization.
Legal Battle Unfolds
JK is now demanding Sh7 million for sexual harassment, Sh7 million for breach of confidentiality, and Sh7 million for reputational damage, bringing her total claim to over Sh21 million.
Simon has responded by filing an objection, arguing that the Employment and Labour Relations Court lacks jurisdiction over the matter.
The case is set for mention before Justice Bernard Matanga next week, and it is anticipated to be closely watched by the public.
The outcome of JK’s lawsuit against the Kabus may set a significant precedent in Kenya regarding employer responsibilities and employee privacy protections.
