Why foreign minister has sued wife, Real Housewives of Nairobi producers

A Cabinet Minister in a foreign country has sued his wife living in Kenya for involving their four minors in the production of Real Housewives of Nairobi without his consent.

The Real Housewives of Nairobi is a Kenyan reality television series that documents the personal and professional lives of several women residing in Kenya.

It is aired by Multichoice on its network, Showmax and produced by Young Rich Television Limited.

The Minister says the filming is happening at their matrimonial home in Nairobi, Kenya where their children are.

This, he says, has become an unsuitable environment for them to be in.

“The filming and broadcasting covers aspects of my wife’s life in her marriage to me and her life as a mother to the children which I didn’t agree to.”

According to the court documents, on or about September 2023, Young Rich Television Limited the producer of the show contacted his wife to take part in the said show as a cast member.

However, the wife allegedly received a medical diagnosis that required her to undergo surgical treatment.

After she was discharged, they both agreed that she would not take part in the show since she was not in good health.

They proceeded to inform the producers of the show through their team of advocates of the decision taken by the wife not to take part in the reality show.

But he later became aware that she went ahead to participate in the show being filmed in various locations including their home in Nairobi.

“I have no problem with her taking part in the reality show but her participation should be without any mention of the children or myself either in my capacity as her husband, father of the children or my position as a leader."

He says the reality show exposes both the good and the bad regarding their marriage.

This depiction he says is likely to expose him to ridicule and mockery bearing in mind his position in society. He also says it is likely to expose the children to bullying.

He seeks an order restraining the producers from filming the minors in connection with the “The Real Housewives of Nairobi” show.

Also sought is an order restraining the Young Rich Television Limited, Multichoice Africa Holdings B.V from airing on showmax or any other network his marriage life with the wife and their children.

Justice Chacha Mwita ordered that the pleadings be served on the respondents.

The Respondents are to file and serve responses to the petition within 14 days after service.

Highlighting of submissions will be on June 10 next year before Justice Lawrence Mugambi.