Prominent city lawyer Danstan Omari has filed a lawsuit against Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB), accusing the bank of erroneously blacklisting him with the Credit Reference Bureau (CRB) over a loan he claims he never took.
Omari is seeking Sh20 million in aggravated damages, arguing that the wrongful listing has severely damaged his reputation, jeopardized his legal career, and hindered his political aspirations.
Allegations Against KCB
Through his lawyer, Shadrack Wambui, Omari has filed a defamation lawsuit, asserting that the erroneous listing has harmed his professional standing and financial credibility. The issue surfaced in December last year when Omari applied for a loan from Co-operative Bank, only to discover he had been listed as a defaulter with TransUnion CRB under loan reference number AA16251DGCTW for an alleged non-performing debt of Sh63,509.
Determined to resolve the matter, Omari traced the listing back to KCB, stating that the arrears were linked to a 2015 loan that had already been settled through a check-off system. Despite multiple attempts to correct the error, the negative listing remained on his record.
Legal Claims and Damages
According to court documents, Omari contends that KCB’s false statements have unfairly portrayed him as financially irresponsible, damaging his credibility as a respected advocate, lecturer, and political analyst.
Wambui argues that the wrongful listing has hindered Omari’s ability to secure loans and cast doubt on his financial integrity. Additionally, Omari believes the listing was a deliberate and reckless act by KCB, carried out without proper verification and without notifying him beforehand, violating banking procedures.
“This wrongful listing has severely damaged my credibility and professional standing. It is a calculated move to brand me as bankrupt and prevent me from contesting the Nairobi senatorial seat in the 2027 general election,” Omari alleged in his suit.
Legal Demands
Omari is demanding:
- A full retraction and correction of the CRB listing
- An official admission from KCB acknowledging the damage caused
- Sh20 million in aggravated damages
The case has sparked discussions on financial accountability and the responsibility of banks in ensuring accurate credit reporting. Stay tuned for further updates on this high-profile legal battle.