Nick Wachira’s Oxygène PR firm has taken legal action in an attempt to stop growing discussions about its alleged involvement in a reputation management campaign for the controversial Adani Group.
The firm, led by Wachira, is accused of hiring bloggers and influencers to sanitize the image of the Indian conglomerate, which has been under scrutiny for its operations in Kenya and beyond.
Gautam Adani, chairman of Adani Group, right, and his wife Priti Adani, chairperson of Adani Foundation, show their fingers marked with indelible ink after casting their ballots at a polling station during the third phase of voting for national elections in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India, on Tuesday, May 7, 2024. Voting kicks off in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s home state of Gujarat in the third phase of India’s election Tuesday, with campaigning becoming increasingly acrimonious between the two main parties. Photographer: Dhiraj Singh/Bloomberg via Getty Images
This latest move, filing a lawsuit against political commentator Nelson Amenya, has raised eyebrows, especially as public interest in the case continues to grow.
Amenya took to X formerly Twitter to inform his followers about the legal action, stating, “Oxygéne have decided to run to court to save their non-existent reputation by filing a lawsuit against me on ‘cybercrime charges.’”
He further suggested that the lawsuit may be politically driven, adding, “That’s how you know these are government operatives. This will not deter me from fighting for what I believe is the unraveling of state capture.”
Photo collage of Nelson Amenya and Gautam Adani. Source: The Standard Digital
The dispute started after Amenya accused Oxygène PR of running a campaign to improve the public image of the Adani Group, despite the company’s alleged questionable practices.
The Adani Group has faced increasing criticism for its operations, particularly in Kenya, and Amenya’s claims have sparked further debate on the role of public relations firms in shaping corporate reputations.
The lawsuit, which centers on allegations of cybercrime, has ignited public discussion about freedom of speech and the influence of powerful corporations in controlling narratives.
While Oxygène PR seeks to clear its name, Amenya has remained defiant, vowing to continue his fight despite the legal challenges. As the case develops, many will be watching closely to see how it unfolds.
