Businessman Jimmy Wanjigi Reacts to Daily Nation's Obituary Alluding to His Death

Kenyan billionaire businessman Jimmy Wanjigi says that the obituary published on the Wednesday edition of the Daily Nation newspaper, which alluded to his ‘death’, is a confirmation that there is a plot by his 'enemies' to eliminate him.

Speaking to CNN on Wednesday, Wanjigi said that there's no doubt about the meaning of the message.

“It’s a death promise,” he told CNN.

He adds: “We are coming for you, we assure you we are going to finish you.”

The businessman, who has strong links with opposition leader Raila Odinga, said he might take legal action against the daily over the death announcement.

“I see the Nation Media as being part of a conspiracy of premeditated murder. I don’t see which other way to see it,” Wanjigi was quoted as saying.

The obituary appearing on page 49 of the Nation newspaper read: “It is with deep sorrow that we announce the death of James Richard Wanjagi.”

The notice used a picture of Wanjigi and read that, Mr Wanjagi died in a botched armed robbery at Nairobi’s Karen Estate.

In a statement on Wednesday, Nation Media apologized to Mr Wanjigi over the announcement, noting that it had invited police to investigate the person behind it.

“We refer to the publication of a death and funeral announcement of James Richard Wanjagi bearing the picture of Mr. Jimi Wanjigi that was erroneously published in the Daily Nation of February 7, 2018. We regret the pain and anguish this may have caused Mr. Wanjigi and his family and sincerely apologise for this,” read the Nation’s apology.

“The Nation Media Group has invited the police to investigate how a death notice was placed in the Daily Nation bearing a picture of NASA supporter and businessman Jimi Wanjigi."