- Kakamega women’s representative, Elsie Muhanda, has sued Governor Fernandes Barasa, his wife, and eight bloggers in a KSh115 million defamation case for allegedly describing her as a drunkard and associating her with a relationship with “Ben 10”.
- Muhanda accuses the defendants of orchestrating a malicious smear campaign through published publications, alleging a false connection to alcohol abuse, bad behavior, and even the death of a university principal.
- He is seeking damages, injunctions, and a public apology, saying the defamation allegations have caused irreparable damage to his reputation, family, and political career.
Kakamega’s women’s representative, Elsie Muhanda, has taken Governor Fernandes Barasa, his wife, and eight bloggers to court in a defamation case demanding compensation of KSh 115 million for allegedly describing him as a drunkard and associating him with relationships with young men known as “Ben 10.”
Source: UGC
In court documents filed through his lawyer, Danstan OmariMuhanda accuses the governor, his wife Professor Janet Kassily Barasa, and his fellow respondents of planning a malicious and organized smear campaign aimed at damaging his reputation and his political career.
Why is Elsie Muhanda suing Governor Barasa
At the center of the case is a series of posts and blogs circulating on social media that allegedly portrayed the lawmaker as a habitual drunkard and, more embarrassingly, implicated him in inappropriate relationships with young men in hotel rooms.
“The publications falsely portray the plaintiff as an alcoholic and further allege that he has been engaging in abusive and exploitative behavior involving young men at a place known as Amanda Resort in Kakamega, allegations which are completely false, defamatory, and damaging to the plaintiff’s reputation,” his court documents state.
The politician has further accused Barasa and his wife of associating him with the death of the principal of the vocational school.
“The allegations falsely show that the plaintiff accused the defendant of complicity in the death, charged with criminal conduct against the defendant, and acting in bad faith and for political gain. The defendant has written and issued a letter of claim containing false, slanderous, and defamatory charges against the plaintiff,” the papers read in part.
Muhanda further told the court that the information is not only false but bad, it humiliates him, and aims to make him morally flawed.
“They have caused irreparable damage to my name, my family, and my position as the elected leader of the people,” he added.
Who else did Elsie Muhanda accuse?
The MP also sued eight bloggers, demanding compensation of KSh10 million from each. The eight include Fabian Musamia, Peter Angatia, Joel Eshkumo, Dennis Weche, Dan Makori, Kibwage, Janet Wasike, Melisa Awour, and Tario Shitiabai.
The bloggers named in the case are accused of raising such claims on multiple platforms, allegedly to ensure maximum reach and impact.
The outspoken MP claims the remarks spread like wildfire online, sparking a wave of public ridicule and political attacks that have left him fighting to regain his dignity.
“The defendants have published and continue to disseminate false, malicious, and highly defamatory information about the plaintiff on blogs and social media for wide and uncontrolled distribution,” he says in court papers.
According to the MP, the management of Amanda Resort, where he allegedly met the young men, has already publicly denied the allegations.
What Elsie Muhanda wants from the court
In a strongly worded affidavit, Muhanda claims that the governor and his associates “knowingly and recklessly” published the defamatory content, knowing full well that it was untrue.
“This was not just rumours. It was a deliberate attempt to kill my character. I will not sit down while my name is dragged through the mud for political gain,” he added.
Source: Facebook
According to the suit, Muhanda is seeking general damages for defamation, aggravated damages for alleged wrongdoing, and exemplary damages to punish what he calls “abuse of power and influence.”
She says that as a public figure and female leader, the allegations have far greater implications.
“In a society where women in leadership already face immense scrutiny, such claims of negligence are deeply damaging. They aim to shame, silence, and intimidate,” she added.
In his papers, Muhanda claims that unless the defendants are stopped by the court, there is a risk of further harm. He is seeking permanent injunctions to prevent the publication and reproduction of the allegedly defamatory statements.
He also seeks an unconditional public indemnity and rescission, as well as general, punitive, and exemplary damages, costs, and any other relief the court may deem appropriate.
“Pending the hearing and determination of this petition, a temporary injunction restraining the defendant, whether himself, his servants, agents, employees, political associates, or any other person acting through or under him, from making, publishing, republishing, publishing, publishing, or distributing in any way any defamatory or false information about the plaintiff,” the papers read.
Read ENGLISH VERSION
Do you have an exciting story that you would like us to publish? Please contact us via news@tuko.co.ke or WhatsApp: 0732482690.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
