Akothee Sues Citizen TV

Kenyan singer and entrepreneur Esther Akoth, alias Akothee, has taken legal action against Royal Media Services (RMS) for publishing photos of her and her husband without her permission.

In a demand letter via Akothee's lawyers, Bunde Mangaro and Company Advocates seen by Viral Tea dated October 11, 2023, the Give It To Me hitmaker accused RMS' TV station, Citizen TV of unauthorized use of the images to serve their own interests.

She claimed that the action done through its social media platforms was aimed at tarnishing her reputation before her followers.

Akothee is therefore demanding that the Kilimani-based media house pull down the images and offer her an unconditional apology.

"It has come to our attention that via Citizen TV Kenya's social media platform, you have been uploading our client's and her husband's photos and or images without her consent by using the photos and or images wrongfully for your own selfish interest with the sole aim of maligning our client's personality and or image before the general public.

"We are instructed to demand your withdrawal and or pulling down the uploaded images and to tender an unreserved apology, in writing, after which we may enter negotiations on compensation," the letter read in part.

The entertainer further warned of consequences on the media house for failing to adhere to her demands within seven days from the date on which the demand letter was issued.

"Further take notice that if we do not receive your written apology or deletion of the uploaded within seven (7) days of the date herein, we have instructions to institute prompt and appropriate legal proceedings against you and at your own risk as to costs and all other consequences ensuing therefrom," added the letter.

Akothee had previously shared a screenshot of a conversation between her and one of the RMS entertainment reporters on her Instagram account, a post she pulled down, which contradicts the demand letter.

The conversation which we managed to retrieve captured a screenshot of her chat with the entertainment reporter who was requesting a coffee table interview covering recent developments in her life and career. She however rejected the reporter following a request to her to pay for the venue, leading to an exchange.

Amidst recent online criticism and rumours surrounding her relationship with Denis Eduard Schweizer, her husband, Akothee recently reaffirmed details of Schweizer's Swiss heritage and identity as Viral Tea established and reported on April 10, 2023.

According to her, Schweizer was born and raised in Switzerland, Bern in 1988, disputing claims on social media that he is a Pakistan national, and that his mother is a single mother just like her.

"His mother and family live in Switzerland, I have met all his family members, and his mother is such a sweet beautiful single mother. I met Omosh in Switzerland," she explained.

The mother of five went on to disclose that she nicknamed her husband Omosh to protect him from online space, as she was getting ready to introduce him to her fans.

She blamed netizens for prompting Schweizer to delete his social media profiles, stating "My husband is no longer online, and you guys cooked your own things, he went and deleted his social media accounts."

She urged her fans to keep off her private life, declaring that she would never appear in interviews to talk about her marriage. 

"This Pakistan thing has made 'chokoras' think Akothee is mistry. I met Omosh in Switzerland, so get a passport first before you hand those useless plack cards, I want to marry Akothee, with your what? You want to marry Akothee or you want to be adopted by Akothee, ni njaa ama mapenzi (is it hunger or love)?" she posed.

The artiste was referring to a Nairobi man who had posted a picture of himself carrying a placard accompanied by a letter, saying he would like to marry Akothee following divorce rumours.

"I recently learnt that you are now single and while I understand that personal matters can be delicate, I wanted to let you know that I've developed a genuine crush on you over the years," he stated.