Kenyan Woman Sues British Man Who Used Her Photo on His Facebook Profile

A Kenyan businesswoman has sued a British man for allegedly maligning her character on social media.

Mercy Mwanzia, through a case filed at the High Court in Nairobi, accuses the Briton named Alan J Rhoades of using her photo and that of her child without her consent.

She produced in court a picture of what Rhoades wrote in the Black Women and White guys Facebook group on January 16th.

“No one can replace, my wife, in my profile pic who left me after spending only three weeks in England,” the alleged post by Rhoades read as quoted by The Star.

Mwanzia says the defendant made the above on the popular Facebook group, claiming she was his wife.

“His profile picture at the time was a clear photograph of myself uploaded without my knowledge or consent,” read court documents.

She notes that the said post attracted many reactions and comments, to which Rhoades replied by answering questions raised by the group’s followers.

“The post and ensuing comments were to say the least disparaging and occasioned untold anguish and emotional distress to me,” Mwanzia argues.

She adds that one of Rhoades’ audiences who commented on the post alluded that she was dead. She says her child's photo was reposted in another comment in total disregard of the minor’s rights.

“I am greatly disturbed by the insensitive publication of the minor’s photo to strangers on an adult dating platform,” she adds.

Through her lawyer Mbugua Ng’ang’a, Mwanzia says she received numerous calls and text messages from concerned family members, friends, and business acquaintances following the publication of the post on the Facebook page with a following of over 59,000 members.

“His insensitivity has exposed my private and family life to the world and subjected her to trolling and condemnation,” Mwanzia said.

The woman says she is apprehensive of the negative impact the disparaging post threatens on her social life and of her child.

Mwanzia is seeking compensation from the Briton in form of general and exemplary damages for violation of her rights and the minor’s fundamental rights and freedoms.