Walter Mong’are, popularly known as Nyambane, is no stranger to drama—whether on stage as part of the iconic Redykyulass trio or behind the microphone as a radio presenter.
But his latest revelation about the time he and fellow broadcaster Caroline Mutoko found themselves slapped with a staggering Sh21 million payout to politician Martha Karua has reignited memories of one of Kenya’s most explosive media controversies.
In a candid reflection, Nyambane opened up about what really went down during his stint at Kiss 100 FM, where he co-hosted the morning show alongside Mutoko.
According to him, the whole debacle unfolded in a single heated broadcast that spiraled into one of the most expensive lawsuits of his career.
Nyambane insists he was more of a bystander than an instigator in the on-air fracas.
“Caroline and I were on air one moment, and I think she was very upset with Martha Karua. And whatever went on that morning, I never said anything that would implicate me or get me to the corridors of justice. But Martha sued us. We paid her Sh21 million,” he said.
For him, the sting wasn’t just in the money—it was in the shock of being dragged into the case despite maintaining he hadn’t said anything defamatory.
“I never uttered anything that would be injurious to her. But of course, my co-host was very upset. She went on and on, and I was like, ‘Caroline, we need to let it go.’ The next thing, you have a lawsuit … the judgment has been made, and you have to pay KSh 21 million for that.”
At the height of Kiss 100’s reign in Kenyan radio, Caroline Mutoko had carved out a reputation as a fearless, unapologetic voice.
Her commentary—often sharp, witty, and brutal—was a big part of the show’s appeal. But as Nyambane’s story shows, it could also come with high stakes.
The case highlighted how live radio, with its unscripted energy, could easily cross legal boundaries. It was a cautionary tale for the entire media fraternity: words spoken in the heat of the moment could cost millions.
What makes Nyambane’s account even juicier is his claim that he and Mutoko were sued as individuals, not as employees of the station.
“We were sued as individuals, not as a radio station. It was enjoined, but Caroline and I were in the docks, and I was wondering what I was doing there. But that is what it means to take a shot for your partner.”
In other words, the media house may have been named, but it was the presenters who carried the burden personally.
For context, Martha Karua—famously nicknamed the ‘Iron Lady’—has never been one to take disrespect lightly.
A lawyer by training and a formidable politician, she has always projected a no-nonsense persona.
To her, defamatory statements weren’t just cheap shots—they were reputational wounds that deserved compensation.
Nyambane doesn’t sound bitter. He narrates the ordeal with a mix of disbelief and humor, almost as if it were just another episode in the colorful story of his life.