mTicket CEO Brian Okinyi Exposed In Court For Attempted Sh500K Fraud

A court ruling has cast a shadow over one of Kenya’s best-known ticketing platforms after mTicket CEO Brian Okinyi was ordered to release hundreds of thousands of shillings in event proceeds that had been withheld from an event organiser, raising fresh questions about accountability and trust in the country’s events industry.

The judgment, delivered by the Eldoret Small Claims Court, ordered Okinyi and mTicket Kenya to pay Sh527,923 to Marcelina Kiplagat, the director of Vibrant Vibes Entertainment, after finding that ticket revenue collected through the platform had not been remitted as required under a contractual agreement.

The dispute arose from the Backyard Soiree concert held on October 5, 2025, at Rupa Grounds in Eldoret. The event featured South African Amapiano star Tyler ICU and attracted hundreds of attendees.

According to court records, Vibrant Vibes Entertainment contracted mTicket to manage ticket sales under an agreement involving Baniyas Square Ltd Lounge.

Tickets were sold at Sh1,000 for early bird access, Sh1,500 for advance purchases, and Sh2,000 at the gate. Under the agreement, mTicket was entitled to an 8 percent commission on every ticket sold.

Documents presented before the court showed that 359 tickets were sold through the platform, generating total revenue of Sh565,800.

After deducting its commission of Sh39,606, mTicket was required to remit more than Sh526,000 to the event organiser within 72 hours after the event.

The money was never paid.

Court records indicate that the failure to release the funds left Vibrant Vibes struggling to settle obligations amounting to Sh969,000 owed to performers, suppliers, service providers and other contractors involved in the event.

Court Rejects Okinyi’s Defence

Okinyi disputed the claim and argued that no binding service agreement existed between the parties. He also contended that the case had been filed prematurely, citing dispute resolution provisions contained in mTicket’s standard terms and conditions.

The court rejected those arguments.

Kiplagat produced a signed agreement dated September 15, 2025, together with ticket sales reports generated by mTicket itself. The court found that the documents sufficiently established the contractual relationship and confirmed the platform’s role in collecting ticket revenue on behalf of the organiser.

The judge further noted that Okinyi had failed to provide evidence supporting his procedural objections.

In her submissions, Kiplagat described repeated efforts to secure payment and portrayed Okinyi as difficult to reach despite numerous follow-ups.

The ruling ultimately ordered payment of the outstanding funds, exposing what critics say was an attempt to retain money that did not belong to the company.

The judgment comes only weeks after mTicket entered a new chapter following its acquisition by fintech startup Cloud9 in an all-stock transaction reported to be worth approximately $773,000.

The acquisition was marketed as a move that would strengthen financial services for event organisers by integrating ticketing with financing solutions and other fintech products.

Okinyi, who founded the platform and has remained one of its most visible executives, has long positioned mTicket as a trusted technology partner for event organisers across Kenya.

The court ruling now threatens to undermine that reputation.

While there is no public record of previous fraud convictions against Okinyi, the Eldoret case has intensified scrutiny of how ticketing platforms manage funds collected on behalf of organisers.

For promoters, the consequences of delayed remittances can be severe. Events often require substantial upfront spending on artists, venues, security, production, accommodation and logistics. When expected revenue is withheld, organisers can quickly find themselves unable to honour financial commitments.

The case serves as a reminder that promoters must conduct thorough due diligence before entrusting ticket revenue to third-party platforms.

The judgment also highlights the importance of maintaining detailed contracts, retaining sales records and ensuring that payment obligations are clearly documented and enforceable.

For now, the court’s findings leave mTicket and its chief executive facing difficult questions about financial stewardship and corporate accountability.

As Cloud9 moves to integrate the platform into its broader fintech ecosystem, stakeholders will be watching closely to see whether stronger safeguards, transparency measures and governance controls are introduced.

The ruling stands as a cautionary tale for Kenya’s fast-growing entertainment sector. In an industry built on trust, confidence can take years to build and only a single court judgment to damage.