Kakamega Woman Representative Elsie Muhanda has filed a defamation suit seeking KSh 115 million in damages against Kakamega Governor Fernandez Barasa, his wife Prof. Janet Kassily, and eight bloggers over what she terms as “false and malicious allegations.”
Through Nairobi-based lawyer Danstan Omari, Muhanda moved to court accusing the respondents of linking her to the mysterious death of Caroline Khamete, the late Principal of Kakamega Polytechnic.
Breakdown of Damages Sought
According to court filings presented at the Milimani Law Courts, Muhanda is demanding:
- KSh 20 million from Governor Barasa
- KSh 15 million from Prof. Kassily
- KSh 10 million each from the eight bloggers sued individually
Omari stated that the total claim arises from what he described as a sustained campaign of defamation that has significantly damaged Muhanda’s reputation.
“We have instructions to sue the governor, his wife and eight bloggers for spreading false information and linking our client with the death of Caroline Khamete,” said Omari.
Allegations and Court Orders Sought
The suit accuses the respondents of publishing and sharing defamatory content on social media, including claims linking Muhanda to Khamete’s death and other alleged misconduct.
Among the key orders sought by the legislator are:
- Immediate withdrawal of all defamatory posts
- A public apology issued by each of the respondents
- Compensation for reputational damage
“All the eight have been sued individually and must withdraw all statements posted on social media and issue a public apology,” Omari added.
Controversy Surrounding Khamete’s Death
The case is rooted in the tragic and still controversial death of Caroline Khamete, whose body was discovered in Kisumu days after she went missing.
Initial reports had suggested suicide, but those claims were later dismissed. Emerging accounts indicated that she may have been abducted by unknown individuals before her body was found, raising further questions around the circumstances of her death.
Additional Allegations
Court documents also cite claims circulated online alleging that Muhanda was involved in inappropriate conduct, including accusations of sexual misconduct—allegations her legal team has strongly denied and described as baseless and defamatory.
Bloggers Named in the Suit
The eight bloggers sued alongside the governor and his wife are:
- Fabian Musamia
- Peter Angatia
- Dennis Weche
- Dan Makori
- Melisa Awour
- Tariq Shitiaba
The case is expected to proceed before the High Court, where the accused parties will have an opportunity to respond to the claims. Legal experts note that the outcome could set a significant precedent on accountability for online defamation in Kenya, particularly involving public figures and social media users.
