Reality TV star and entrepreneur Susan Kaittany recently found herself at the center of a financial crisis when auctioneers threatened to seize assets from her renowned Posh Palace Hair Studio and Spa in Nairobi. This came after a ruling by the Milimani Small Claims Court, which ordered Kaittany to settle a debt of Sh40,500 owed to Stephen Murithi Mutua, the owner of Blueberry Africa, for podcast production services provided in 2023. The situation escalated quickly, with auctioneers arriving at the spa to seize valuable equipment. However, Kaittany narrowly avoided the loss of her assets by settling the debt just before the auction deadline.
The legal battle began earlier in the year when Mutua filed a claim against Kaittany for failing to pay for the podcast production services rendered by his company. Despite multiple payment demands, Kaittany did not settle the amount in time, leading to the case being brought before the Milimani Small Claims Court. In its ruling, the court instructed her to pay the owed Sh40,500 along with interest, which was set at 12.5% per annum from July 1, 2023. In addition, the court awarded legal costs amounting to Sh15,000.
By the beginning of November 2024, the debt had grown to a substantial Sh61,984 due to the accumulated interest. This put Kaittany in a precarious position, as the court order authorized auctioneers to seize assets from her business in order to recover the debt. Interfield Auctioneers, tasked with the enforcement of the court’s judgment, issued a 7-day proclamation notice to Kaittany, listing various items at Posh Palace Hair Studio and Spa to be auctioned off. Among the items listed for seizure were salon equipment such as hair dryers valued at Sh20,000, steamers priced at Sh25,000, salon chairs at Sh40,000, foot spas at Sh50,000, and massage tables valued at Sh10,000. These assets, along with an additional auctioneers’ fee of Sh38,600, were to be seized if the debt remained unpaid.
The threat of auctioning Kaittany’s assets was significant, as it would have not only resulted in a financial setback but also tarnished the reputation of her business, which is a popular destination for high-end beauty treatments and services. Given the importance of the spa to her career and brand, the looming auction created a sense of urgency for Kaittany to resolve the matter before it reached its deadline.
In a last-minute move, Kaittany took action to clear the debt. On the eve of the auction, she issued a cheque that covered the original debt, the interest, and the legal costs, effectively halting the seizure of her assets. Her legal representatives confirmed that the payment had been processed and that the auction had been averted.
The swift resolution of the matter has brought relief to the entrepreneur, who is also known for her appearances on the reality TV show Real Housewives of Nairobi. Kaittany’s business acumen and determination were crucial in averting a financial catastrophe. However, the episode serves as a reminder of the importance of managing business finances effectively and honoring contractual obligations to avoid similar situations in the future.
While the immediate threat to Posh Palace Hair Studio and Spa has been lifted, it also highlights the pressures faced by entrepreneurs in managing their financial and legal affairs. For Kaittany, this experience may serve as a valuable lesson in maintaining timely payments and communication with service providers to avoid the risk of costly legal proceedings and potential damage to her business.
This situation underscores the significance of financial responsibility and the potential consequences of neglecting business commitments. Despite this setback, Kaittany’s prompt action to settle her debt has allowed her to retain control over her business and its future growth.
