Woes Pile Up For Ringtone In Karen House Invasion Case

Controversial gospel singer, Alex Apoko, popularly known as Ringtone, has been demanded to confess that he was legally responsible for reportedly assaulting five foreigners during an alleged invasion at a Karen residence in Nairobi.

In a demand letter seen by Viral Tea dated Wednesday, July 26, law firm Kimathi & Associates Advocates, which is representing the Matip brothers from South Sudan who own the residence, is demanding that Ringtone admits liability for forcibly detaining, illegally using, occupying and destroying the property of the foreigners.

An admission of liability is a statement made by a person or company saying that they are legally responsible for something that has harmed someone.

The firm gave Ringtone a seven-day ultimatum to comply with its demands, failure to which it would pursue legal action.

"The purpose of this letter, therefore, is to demand, which we hereby unequivocally do, your immediate admission of liability for forcible detainer, illegal use, occupation and destruction of our clients' property, mesne profits and but not limited to the value of the stolen property, eviction costs and other incidental costs.

"Please take notice that if we do not hear from you within the next seven (7) days we shall move with speed and file recovery proceedings against you without any further reference to you," read the letter in part.

The firm argued that the Matip brothers namely Kongkong Paulino Matip, Gabriel Paulino and John Paulino are the legal and beneficial owners of the above-mentioned property which is currently registered in the name of their deceased father, having bought the same from one Juddith Guserwa sometime in 2010.

Upon the demise of their father, the brothers moved to South Sudan for his funeral, and while there got caught up with the exigencies of life, and left their caretaker to look after their property together with other movables that were left in the compound.

"While in South Sudan they continued to send money for maintenance and upkeep of the property, until sometime in 2016 when one of them, Kongkong Matip, visited Nairobi and went to the property only to be denied access.

"It is then that it was discovered that you, by means only known to yourself, had gained entry into the property, and started passing off as the owner. You even went ahead to make structural changes to the property, adding unlicensed structures within the compound and leasing the same to strangers," added the letter.

When the brothers left for South Sudan for their father's burial, the home was fully furnished, and there were two (2) vehicles in the compound, a Toyota VX and a BMW.

According to the firm, the Fagia hitmaker persisted and succeeded in warding off the Matip brothers from accessing their property until Friday, 21 July 2023, when the trio, with the help of the Police, managed to regain possession of their property.

However, it was not before seven years of deprivation and denial of use, possession and benefit of their property had lapsed.

"Having gained access, our clients have established with utter shock the destruction that you have meted on that property. You have appropriated, misused, sold, stolen or otherwise taken for yourself the assets that were within the house, including the two cars abovesaid.

"While in the process of taking possession you also, with the help of hired goons, meted violence on our clients, causing them actual bodily harm. There is no gainsaying that you have since been charged in court," added the letter.

Appearing before Kibera Chief Magistrate on Tuesday, July 25, the musician together with Samson Onunga alias Kazola, Victor B Maringa, Kevin Nyaoke, Brian Jumba Luseno and Geoffrey Mose were charged with the assault of the South Sudanese nationals and damaging property worth Ksh5,000.

While speaking to bloggers, Ringtone denied the allegations, claiming that he was arrested in his own home and that being an orphan who struggled to achieve success, he expressed deep hurt and frustration at being mistreated in his own country.

"It's a house I live in and I have also made it a guest house. Those who invaded are foreigners from South Sudan and the government hasn't taken any action against them. In fact, the only action taken has been against me," he tearfully narrated.

"Right now I am afraid, I fear for my life. People have created the perception that I am corrupt yet the most affected. I have been ejected from my home in Karen where I have lived for over 10 years. I don't feel like a Kenyan."

He also claimed that he is semi-homeless, despite having a home in Runda, lamenting how people are jealous of him.

Musician Ringtone in a police car following his arrest in Karen on July 21, 2023. /COURTESY