Kenya Insights

Tag: Willis Raburu

  • Court Told How EABL Has Exploited Artists, Influencers in Campaigns

    Court Told How EABL Has Exploited Artists, Influencers in Campaigns

    A bitter legal battle has erupted at the Milimani Law Courts where lawyers representing media personality Willis Raburu have accused East African Breweries Limited of systematically exploiting artists and influencers in its marketing campaigns.

    The allegations emerged during proceedings in which Steizon Limited, a digital communication company owned by Raburu, is suing EABL and its marketing agent Game Changer Marketing Limited for allegedly withholding KSh10 million owed for work delivered during the Furaha City Festival held on December 7, 2024.

    Lawyer Martina Swiga, part of the legal team acting for Steizon alongside Danstan Omari, told the court that the non-payment represents a gross violation of artists’ rights and contractual obligations.

    She described the case as emblematic of a broader pattern where corporate entities engage creative professionals for major campaigns but fail to honour payment agreements.

    According to court documents, Steizon entered into a binding agreement with Game Changer Marketing Limited, which was acting as EABL’s agent, to provide comprehensive promotional and event coordination services for what was marketed as the Wabebe Experience during the festival.

    The scope of work was extensive.

    Steizon claims it delivered influencer engagement, digital promotion, brand visibility enhancement, logistical execution, security collaboration, media coordination and full event management.

    The company says it produced over 60 video reels, more than 100 static posts, and achieved a social media reach exceeding one million users.

    In a sworn statement filed before the High Court in Nairobi, Willis Wayne Raburu, director of Steizon Limited, detailed his personal involvement in the project.

    He said he supervised teams, coordinated artists and influencers, oversaw media production and ensured smooth execution of the event.

    Despite fulfilling all contractual obligations, Raburu told the court, the agreed payment of KSh10 million has never been remitted.

    He said after the event concluded, Steizon was instructed to prepare a detailed report to facilitate payment processing.

    The company complied and submitted the report, only for Game Changer Marketing to allegedly redirect them to another entity rather than settling the outstanding dues.

    The legal team argues that such practices have become disturbingly common in Kenya’s creative industry, where artists and content creators invest significant resources, time and talent into corporate campaigns only to face payment delays or outright refusal to honour agreements.

    Raburu’s lawyers told the court that the failure to pay has caused severe financial strain on Steizon Limited.

    Beyond the immediate monetary loss, they argue the company’s reputation has been tarnished, affecting its ability to secure future contracts and maintain operational stability.

    Steizon is now asking the court to declare the contract binding and enforceable.

    The company wants both Game Changer Marketing Limited and EABL compelled to jointly and severally pay the outstanding KSh10 million. Additionally, Steizon is seeking damages for financial losses suffered and compensation for reputational harm.

    The case has drawn attention to the power imbalance between major corporations and creative professionals in Kenya’s advertising and events industry.

    Legal experts say many artists and influencers work without proper written contracts or legal representation, making them vulnerable to exploitation.

    Industry observers note that while brands readily leverage the reach and influence of content creators to drive sales and brand visibility, payment disputes remain a persistent challenge.

    In many instances, creative professionals lack the resources to pursue legal action against well-funded corporations, leading to a cycle where such practices continue unchecked.

    The lawsuit against EABL, one of Kenya’s most prominent corporate entities, signals a potential shift where artists are increasingly willing to seek legal redress for unpaid work.

    The outcome of this case could set an important precedent for how contractual obligations between brands and creative professionals are enforced in future.

    EABL and Game Changer Marketing Limited had not filed their responses to the suit at the time of going to press.

    The matter is pending before the High Court, with parties expected to appear for directions in the coming weeks.

  • Court Overturns Raburu’s Sh6.5m Win Against Airtel in Trademark Row

    Court Overturns Raburu’s Sh6.5m Win Against Airtel in Trademark Row

    Media personality Willis Raburu will not receive a Sh6.5 million bounty after the High Court overturned a judgement granted in his favour against mobile operator Airtel Kenya.

    Justice Linus Kassan quashed the award stating that the judgment delivered by the Milimani Chief Magistrate’s Commercial Court was a nullity as the lower court lacked authority to determine trademark disputes.

    “The decision of the trial court must be faulted in light of this Court’s finding that the said court was ousted of jurisdiction to entertain Raburu’s suit,” Justice Kassan ruled.

    The judge set aside the magistrate’s ruling in its entirety and substituted it with an order striking out Raburu’s suit, with costs awarded to Airtel.

    “In the end, Airtel’s appeal succeeds on the question of jurisdiction. The Court further directs that Airtel will have the attendant costs of the appeal. Order accordingly,” Justice Kassan stated.

    The emphasized that the trial court failed to properly interrogate Airtel’s objection on jurisdiction.

    “Such an omission must be faulted, given this Court’s earlier finding that the intent of the drafters of the Trademark Act was that any live issue concerning trademarks be referred to the High Court and not subordinate courts,” Kassan said.

    The dispute arose from a judgment delivered in November last year, where the magistrate awarded Raburu Sh6.5 million in a case against Airtel Kenya Networks Ltd.

    Raburu had sued Airtel for alleged unauthorized use and infringement of his registered trademark No. 116744, ‘BAZU.’

    He sought a permanent injunction restraining Airtel, its directors, officers, and agents from using the mark or publishing any material in print or broadcast media that could cause confusion with his brand.

    Raburu sought special damages of Sh5 million for potential licensing fees Airtel would have paid had it lawfully used the mark. He also sought profits earned from the alleged infringement, general damages, interest, and costs of the suit.

    However, with the High Court’s ruling, Raburu’s award has been nullified, and Airtel walks away with costs of both the trial and the appeal.

  • A Bright Career Killed, Willis Raburu From a Great Journalist to a Socialites Promoter

    A Bright Career Killed, Willis Raburu From a Great Journalist to a Socialites Promoter

    This is an intervention for Willis Raburu, Who has now become a male socialite and shame to the media fraternity.

    We Kenyans of good will have witnessed the rise of Willis Raburu and would not like to see the good brains wasted by a complicit and corrupt Royal Media Services.

    If you are not aware, Royal Media Service is the most corrupt media house in Kenya. Journalists working for Royal Media services especially the vernacular radio stations are the worst dogs. They are bribed by ethnic gods to create tension within the country. For Instance, Njogu Wa Njoroge is on the Payroll of Kikuyu politicians to promote the We against them narrative. Despite all these malpractices, the idiots err Bosses at the helm have refused to crack the whip of such ethnic zealots.

    Willis Raburu started off well till he started hosting some Socialites in the infamous show called 10 Over 10. This is a show that promotes mediocrity and the whore culture because most of the fellas that flock the show are famous socialites and commercial sex workers like Huddah Monroe and Vera Sidika.

    Why is the media introducing shows that won’t help this country? Shows like 10 over 10 and Nairobi Diaries should be done away with.

    Willis Raburu, an exceptional mind in the media fraternity should not be interviewing socialites. We are watching our dear brother Willis make mistakes like Larry Madowo who has become a shame and bad example in the Kenyan media.

    Old Camels like Caroline Mutoko and Sheila Mwanyigha promoted the whore culture and have had no real achievements as far as their legacy is concerned. They instead dumbed down the masses into believing that whoring around and becoming petty is a Godly act.

    My brother Willis Raburu, we loved you when you used to read the news. Interviewing socialites is not your forte: Leave that to Larry Madowo and the likes of Maina Kageni.

    Being a male socialite is a curse and must be detected and crashed. It is worse than prostitution. Look at the likes of Joe W Muchiri; his only life achievement is being drunk and bragging with alcohol on Instagram. Pathetic socialite if you ask me. Unlike many fake friends out there who don’t tell him the truth, I take this moment to urge Joe Muchiri to get a wife, get married and raise a family. Your agemates like Alai have already married.

    But then, media standards in Kenya have diminished. Starting from Royal media services that has now reduced Willis Raburu to a socialites interviewer.

    For instance, Royal Media Services owner SK Macharia used forged documents to transact a land deal 20 years ago; Police indicated in court documents when the case was hot off the press. This was a widely publicized case that embarrassed the media mogul. Do we expect this character SK Macharia to instill good media standards yet he is a renown fraud? Hell No!

    Willis Raburu must sit down, reflect and see the direction his media career is heading toward. What will he be remembered for? He must avoid taking the course the likes of Maina Kageni and Caroline Mutoko took. Anybody can be a socialite promoter, but it takes courage and immense wisdom to be a revolutionary Journalist.