NAIROBI, Kenya — Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma has sued Standard Media Group over reports on violence that erupted during the Linda Mwananchi rally in Homa Bay on August 16, 2026.
In court documents filed at the Milimani Commercial Courts, Kaluma alleges that reports published in The Standard newspaper and aired on KTN News contained false statements and implications that damaged his reputation.
The suit centres on a 41-minute KTN News bulletin aired during the 7pm and 9pm news on September 6, 2026. Kaluma claims the report suggested that the violence at the rally had been planned, organised and mobilised before the clashes occurred.
Kaluma argues that the September 6 broadcast was part of a series of reports by Standard Media Group concerning the Homa Bay violence and allegations surrounding his involvement.
Kaluma Challenges Earlier Reports
The MP has also cited several earlier publications by The Standard, including an August 17 headline titled “Shame as Gladys Wanga and Kaluma Unleash Violence Against Freedom.”
He also referred to reports published on August 18 and August 21, arguing that the publications portrayed him in a manner that harmed his reputation as a family man, advocate of the High Court and elected leader.
According to his plaint, Kaluma claims the reports caused him serious reputational harm and affected his standing in his professional and public roles.
He says he previously demanded an apology and retraction from the media organisation and issued notice of his intention to take legal action, but alleges that the defendants declined to comply and continued publishing reports concerning the matter.
What Kaluma Wants From The Court
Kaluma is seeking general damages, as well as aggravated and exemplary damages, over the publications.
He is also asking the court to order Standard Media Group to retract the reports and remove them from its media platforms.
The MP further wants the court to direct the defendants to publish a retraction and apology with similar prominence on KTN News, The Standard newspaper and the group’s other media platforms within three days of judgment.
The case follows an investigative report by Standard Media Group examining the violence that occurred during the Linda Mwananchi political rally in Homa Bay on August 16.
Wider Dispute Over Homa Bay Reporting
Kaluma’s lawsuit comes amid wider complaints over the media group’s coverage of the Homa Bay clashes.
Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga separately lodged a complaint with the Media Council of Kenya in September over KTN and The Standard reports on the violence, alleging that the publications contained fabricated and unverified claims about her administration.
The Standard has also previously published reports carrying allegations by political figures that Kaluma, Wanga and other leaders were involved in mobilising youths during the Homa Bay clashes. Those allegations have been disputed by the leaders concerned.
Kaluma and Standard Media Group have previously been involved in separate defamation proceedings. In a November 2025 judgment, the High Court dealt with an earlier defamation suit by Kaluma against the media group arising from publications in The Nairobian.
