A crippling KSh 6 million (approx. $46,500 USD) court judgment has forced Kenya’s most prominent and controversial gossip blogger, Edgar Obare, to put his entire BNN media empire up for sale. The move has ignited a scramble among Kenya's entertainment elite to seize control of the influential platform.

This decision is a direct fallout from a landmark defamation case that underscores the growing legal risks for digital content creators in Kenya. For thousands of Kenyans, BNN is the primary source for unfiltered celebrity news, but for public figures, it represents a powerful and often feared entity. The sale could fundamentally reshape the country's dynamic digital media landscape.

A Costly Verdict

On November 7, 2025, a Nairobi court ordered Obare to pay KSh 6 million in damages to model Bernice Nunah and co-plaintiff Kelvin Kaume Maingi. The ruling found Obare liable for defamatory posts made in December 2022 that alleged an affair between the two. The court awarded the plaintiffs KSh 4 million in general damages and an additional KSh 2 million in exemplary damages. In addition to the financial penalty, the court mandated a full public apology and issued a permanent injunction preventing Obare from publishing further defamatory content about Nunah.

Following the judgment, Obare announced on December 15 that his company, BNN LTD, was for sale. The sale includes all digital assets, social media accounts, brand data, and trademarks associated with the platform, which operates across Instagram, Telegram, and its own website.

Who Will Be the New 'Tea Master'?

The announcement quickly drew the attention of major players in Kenya's creative industry, signaling a potential shift from gossip-centric ownership to established content production houses.

• Eddie Butita: The comedian and producer formally expressed interest through his company, SPM Africa, which owns SPM Buzz. A company statement confirmed its board had approved a resolution to place an offer to acquire BNN.
• Abel Mutua: The acclaimed filmmaker and actor also declared his interest, specifically in acquiring a 30% stake in the company.
• Terence Creative: The popular comedian proposed a partnership with Butita, suggesting they could go in on a 50/50 basis to acquire the platform and pivot to what he termed "non-biased gossip."

The interest from these established figures suggests a recognition of BNN's significant, albeit controversial, market influence. An acquisition by a media house like SPM Africa could professionalize the platform's operations but may also alienate its core audience, which thrives on its unfiltered and often legally perilous exposés.

The sale marks a critical juncture for digital media in Kenya. It serves as a cautionary tale about the high cost of defamation while also presenting an opportunity for a new owner to harness a powerful brand, for better or for worse. The question remains whether BNN's raw, disruptive style can survive under new, more corporate leadership.