Companies

Kenyatta kin row with rival over 'Ngoma' concert name

ngoma

The concert promoted under Ngoma Festival that featured local musicians held in March at Carnivore Grounds attracted a large number of fans. FILE PHOTO | NMG

A company associated with President Uhuru Kenyatta’s kin is locked in a fight over the use of the name ‘Ngoma Festival’, a banner under which a concert thousands of revellers attended in March.

Stalwart Entertainment Limited has moved to court seeking to stop Ngoma Festival Limited from using the title 'Ngoma Festival' during parallel events two firms have organised at Carnivore Grounds and Uhuru Gardens in Nairobi.

The documents filed in court show that the directors of Ngoma Festival Limited, some of who are President Kenyatta’s relatives, include Nicholas Kayu Muigai Kenyatta, Sheila Wambui Chege and Simon Mwangi Mungai.

“Pending the hearing and determination of this application and or main suit the defendant be restrained whether by itself, its servants, agents and or employees from hosting or holding any entertainment event or promoting its business in the name and style of Ngoma festival or at all,” reads one of the orders sought by Stalwart Entertainment Limited.

The firm says that following a successful event it organised in March, it moved to protect the use of 'Ngoma Festival' with the registrar of the trademarks.

The firm notes that the registrar had published its application in the Kenya Industrial Property Institute journal.

The concert promoted under Ngoma Festival that featured local musicians held in March at Carnivore Grounds attracted a large number of fans that Stalwart Entertainment estimates at about 15,000.

But the firm says during the preparation for the concert in March it contracted Ms Chege to perform some of the duties that gave her access to its secrets and also learnt of dealings with the sponsors.

Stalwart says the rival firm registered on September 11 is also marketing another concert using ‘Ngoma Festival’ at Uhuru Gardens meant to confuse its clients and sponsors.

Ngoma Festival Limited is yet to respond to the suit.