Radio Africa Group (RAG) has threatened to counter-sue sacked Homeboyz Radio presenter Shaffie Weru for what it alleges to be breach of contract and negligence.
RAG says this is due to Shaffie’s “inappropriate and insensitive comments” on-air on a woman who was thrown off the 12th floor of a building for refusing a man’s sexual advances.
The company and its subsidiary Homeboyz Radio 2017 Limited will be seeking Sh150 million in damages for loss of business and reputational damage of its 15-year-old and 20-year-old brands.
RAG announced its intention to sue in response to a letter received from the former Homeboyz Radio presenter and Programs Controller, through his lawyers - MMA Advocates.
Shaffie’s lawyers wrote a demand letter to Radio Africa Group on March 30 threatening to sue the company for unfair and unlawful termination, demanding Sh21 million in damages.
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In its response, RAG accuses him of contravening company policies and the terms of his employment contract outlining actions that would lead to the “forthwith” termination of his services.
"His actions were unconscionable and amount to severe gross misconduct. He should have known better having been in the media industry for 18 years and receiving continuous training on media regulators’ programming codes, broadcasting regulations and codes of conduct and ethics. Including a very recent training by the Media Council of Kenya in February 2021 which covered: Ethics and Code of Conduct, Fake news and Fact checking, Interview skills, Conflict Sensitive Journalism, Hate Speech Dilemma in media, On-air presentation skills," Radio Africa said.
Neville Musya, DJ Joe Mfalme and Shaffie Weru. PHOTO/COURTESY
The firm has said that it is ready to “robustly” defend any claims made by Shaffie against it after he was fired alongside DJ Joe Mfalme and Neville Musya.
Communications Authority of Kenya fined the station Sh1 million, suspended The Lift Off breakfast show for 6 months, ordered it to apologise and train its staff on gender issues.