The High Court in Nairobi has awarded lawyer Donald Kipkorir Sh1 million as compensation for being denied entry to the exclusive Muthaiga Country Club, marking the end of a long-running dispute that drew attention to the club’s admission practices.
In a judgment delivered by Justice Chacha Mwita, the court ruled that the club’s decision to bar Kipkorir from entering its premises, despite being invited by a member, violated his constitutional rights. The judge found the actions of the century-old institution unlawful and reaffirmed that invited guests are entitled to access private clubs without discrimination.
“Today, Justice Chacha Mwita delivered judgement on my constitutional petition against Muthaiga Country Club that had refused me entry on the most spurious grounds,” Kipkorir said in a statement following the ruling. “Justice Chacha Mwita who is one of our finest Judges in mind and character held that MCC violated my constitutional rights and that they can’t refuse me entry if I am invited by a member.”
The lawyer’s case dates back to incidents in October 2022 and August 2024, when he was allegedly turned away from the club’s gates despite having been invited by members to attend meetings.
In his petition, Kipkorir argued that the refusal not only embarrassed him but also interfered with his professional engagements. He claimed the club’s behaviour reflected “colonial-era discrimination” and accused it of operating “like a colonial relic in modern-day Kenya.”
His lawyer, Patrick Wanyama, had earlier suggested that the exclusion could have been racially or tribally motivated, citing the composition of the club’s board. “At the right time, we will demand to know the immigration status of the board members,” Wanyama remarked during proceedings.
Following the verdict, Kipkorir urged the institution to abolish its controversial “blackballing” system, which allows anonymous objections to membership or guest invitations.
“Muthaiga Country Club should end its ‘blackballing’ policy where members with personal vendetta are allowed to anonymously stop a guest from coming or from even becoming a member. An accuser must be man enough to one out instead of hiding in shadows like a weasel,” he said.
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