The Nyali MP Mohamed Ali has been sued by Brookside Dairy Limited, a milk processing business connected to the family of President Uhuru Kenyatta, for allegedly inciting the populace to harm the corporation’s economic and commercial interests.
Additionally, Brookside is asking the court to establish a permanent injunction prohibiting the lawmaker from inciting or encouraging the public to hate it.
It also wants Mr. Ali to pay it back for the claimed losses and harm he is said to have caused and to protect its rights and reputation.
The MP is accused of making comments at a public gathering in Nyeri town on March 3 that gave rise to the complaint.
He said that Brookside was taking advantage of farmers by purchasing their milk in the raw for Sh20 and then resold it processed for Sh120.
According to court documents, Mr. Ali allegedly replied, “Uhuru Kenyatta comes here, he buys milk for Sh20, he goes and boils it, and he sells it back to you for Sh120.”
“The statement meant that the company exploits the dairy farmers who sell and supply milk to it as raw material for its business. The said statement also meant that the company subjects farmers or suppliers to unfair treatment,” the firm says in its petition.
The business claims that the MP’s statement on its customers implied that it sold milk products that were not processed or made in accordance with the necessary health or safety requirements and were of inferior quality.
The corporation claims that the MP’s promotion of public hostility toward it violates its rights under Articles 20, 33(2), and 27 of the Constitution and that the comment was intended to hurt the company and its operations.
The business claims that Mr. Ali infringed on its constitutional right to a decent reputation by disparaging its products.
Jacob Ombongi, the company secretary, said in an affidavit that Brookside has both domestic and foreign shareholders and investors.
40% of the company’s shares are owned by foreign investors, and some local investors include Kenyatta family members.
He said that the MP’s comments were maliciously untrue.
“The actions of the respondent were aimed at turning away or inciting resentment or hatred against the petitioner or its products by consumers of its processed products, its suppliers of raw milk and the public generally,” Mr Ombongi said.
