SuperSport gags Twitter user with court order
By DAVID KWALIMWAA multi-national company has secured court orders restraining a social media user from publishing defamatory statements about the institution.
In what could turn out to be a landmark case in the sports industry and social media circles, SuperSport International (proprietary) Limited moved to Milimani Law Courts last month and secured orders against Francis Gaitho, whom the court papers suggest operates the twitter account with the @kenyafootball handle.
The order was eventually served to Gaitho through the dailies.
However, when contacted by Nairobi News, the alleged offender, who says he is a businessman based in Nairobi and Thika, defended himself against the allegations.
“I have seen the (court) order but remain unsure about several aspects of the information therein. The name on it is similar to mine, but the corresponding postal address is not mine. And then the said Twitter handle is for the people and managed by the people,” Gaitho said.
“My take is this is a diversionary tactic by the said company, especially considering the current impasse in Kenyan football where it (the company) has interests. Am neither involved in the ongoing football feud nor nor I have any role to play. I am just a businessman with an interest in sports,” Gaitho added.
The matter, according to the orders, will be mentioned on March 12, with the hearing date set for April 16.