Nation Media Group apologises over Wanjigi death announcement

The Nation Media Group has issued a statement apologising for publishing an ‘obituary’ bearing the image of businessman Jimmy Wanjigi.

The ‘death and funeral announcement’ published on the bottom left half, page 49, of the Daily Nation elicited a host of angry reactions from Kenyans online.

“It is with deep sorrow that we announce the death of James Richard Wanjagi on 30^th January January 2018 which occurred after a failed armed robbery in Nairobi’s Karen estate,” read the announcement.

Despite the mix-up in the names ‘Wanjigi’ and ‘Wanjagi,’ the ‘obituary’ included eerily exact details pertaining to the prominent businessman’s life, including the names of his father, James Maina, and his wife Irene, as well as the school his children attend, the prestigious Institut LeRosey in Switzerland, and his company Kwacha Group which the paper referred to as Kwacha Industries.

In an official statement, NMG has apologised for the error saying, “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,” added NMG.

The media house further stated that they do not “condone such publication” and added that they had taken “immediate action against those responsible for the placement of the announcement, including the matter to the police for further investigations.”