NAIROBI, Kenya — The Milimani Commercial Court has temporarily barred TV47 from referring to lawyer Danstan Omari as a “self-proclaimed lawyer” or “self-proclaimed advocate” pending the hearing and determination of a defamation suit in which he is seeking Sh20 million in damages.
In interim orders issued on July 17, 2026, Senior Principal Magistrate A. Nyoike certified Omari’s application as urgent, directed that it be served for an inter partes hearing on August 3, 2026, and granted key prayers contained in the lawyer’s Notice of Motion.
The court restrained TV47, its directors, editors, journalists, employees, agents and any other persons acting under its authority from publishing, broadcasting or disseminating the disputed description across all platforms under the broadcaster’s control.
The order covers television broadcasts, YouTube, Facebook, X, Instagram, TikTok, the station’s website and any other digital platforms operated by the media house.
The court also prohibited TV47 from publishing or causing to be published any statement suggesting that Omari is not a duly admitted, qualified and practising Advocate of the High Court of Kenya pending the hearing of the application.
Omari seeks Sh20 million in damages
In the suit, Omari argues that the broadcaster’s publications have caused serious harm to his professional reputation, career and personal life.
Through his lawyer, Shadrack Wambui, Omari contends that the continued circulation of the statements has exposed him to public ridicule, scorn and professional embarrassment, warranting urgent judicial intervention.
Besides the temporary injunction, Omari is seeking a mandatory court order compelling TV47 to remove and permanently disable public access to a publication titled “TV47 stands by Exposé as Prophet Owuor’s Church seeks its removal”, together with all related video clips, excerpts, reposts, articles and uploads.
He is also seeking Sh20 million in general and aggravated damages for alleged libel.
Case set for August hearing
The matter is scheduled for an inter partes hearing on August 3, 2026, when the court will consider whether the interim orders should remain in force as the defamation case proceeds.