A Nairobi court has certified as urgent a defamation suit filed by advocate Danstan Omari against Cape Media Limited, the owner of TV47, over publications he claims damaged his reputation following the broadcaster’s coverage of the controversy surrounding its “Divine or Deceptive” exposé.
The matter came before Senior Principal Magistrate A. Nyoike at the Milimani Commercial Magistrate’s Court, who directed that the application be served for an inter partes hearing on August 3, 2026, after certifying it as urgent. The court also granted interim orders sought in prayers two and three of the application pending the hearing.
According to court documents, Omari contends that TV47’s publications have caused substantial damage to his professional standing and personal life.
“The Defendant has made defamatory statements that continue to spread, inflicting severe and irreversible damage to the Plaintiff’s reputation, career and personal life,” the application states.
The advocate further argues that unless the court intervenes, the alleged harm will continue.
“The Defendant’s deliberate defamatory statements towards the Plaintiff exposes him to public ridicule, scorn and professional ruin, making it imperative that immediate orders be granted to stop this malicious conduct,” the court filing reads.
In the pleadings, Omari describes himself as an advocate of the High Court of Kenya, the Managing Partner of Danstan Omari & Associates Advocates and a former law lecturer at the Catholic University of Eastern Africa. He alleges that Cape Media exercised editorial control over the television broadcast and its digital platforms where the disputed content was published.
The application also argues that continued publication of the material has exposed the advocate to public ridicule and professional embarrassment, adding that any delay in court intervention would cause harm that cannot easily be remedied.
“The urgency of this matter cannot be overstated and the Plaintiff’s plight demands the Court’s immediate attention and intervention before further irreversible harm occurs,” the application states.
Among the documents filed in support of the case are a demand letter dated July 13, 2026, screenshots of the publications complained of, a certificate of electronic evidence, Omari’s practising certificate and links to both the original and edited versions of the TV47 video.
The demand letter alleges that the broadcaster published defamatory statements concerning Omari following a press briefing held during the National Healing Service at Uhuru Park on July 12, 2026, and seeks compensation together with a public apology from Cape Media.
The case will now proceed to an inter partes hearing on August 3, 2026, when both parties will have an opportunity to present their arguments before the court.
