NAIROBI, Kenya – Former nominated Senator Gloria Orwoba has been ordered to pay Sh10.5 million in damages for defaming Senate Clerk and Parliamentary Service Commission Secretary Jeremiah Nyegenye through social media posts accusing him of sexual harassment.
Delivering the judgment at the Milimani Commercial Court, Magistrate Ruguru Ngotho ruled that the posts, made on WhatsApp, Facebook, and X, were defamatory, malicious, and unsubstantiated.
“The words complained of were not uttered within the precincts of Parliament and cannot benefit from qualified privilege,” the magistrate stated, dismissing Orwoba’s defence that her remarks were protected under parliamentary privilege.
The court found that Orwoba acted with malice, intending to damage Nyegenye’s personal and professional reputation.
Nyegenye, represented by lawyer Peter Wanyama, told the court the allegations had caused him serious reputational harm, disrupted his career, and strained his family life.
The court agreed, awarding Sh8 million in general damages and an additional Sh2.5 million in exemplary and aggravated damages.
The court further issued a permanent injunction barring Orwoba and her associates from publishing or republishing any defamatory material about Nyegenye.
She has also been ordered to issue a public apology on her social media platforms and in a national newspaper within 30 days.
Failure to comply will attract an additional Sh1 million in default damages.
“Her main aim was to put her allegations in the public domain and have the Plaintiff persecuted in the court of public opinion,” the ruling read.
The magistrate observed that Orwoba’s conduct during the proceedings was casual and non-compliant, justifying the aggravated damages to serve as a reminder that freedom of expression does not permit character assassination.
The defamatory content, which included audio and video clips, went viral and attracted international media coverage.
The court said the posts were meant to embarrass and discredit Nyegenye rather than seek legal redress.
“The Clerk holds a public office that demands a high standard of moral integrity. The defamatory remarks undermined that image unfairly,” Magistrate Ngotho added.
The case stemmed from a complaint filed by Nyegenye in September 2023, after Orwoba repeatedly posted allegations online that the court determined she could not substantiate.
