Former nominated Senator Gloria Orwoba has suffered a major blow after a Nairobi court ordered her to pay Sh10.5 million in damages to the Clerk of the Senate and Secretary to the Parliamentary Service Commission, Jeremiah Nyegenye, for defamation. In a judgment delivered by Milimani Commercial Court Magistrate Ruguru Ngotho on Monday, the court found that Orwoba had made a series of defamatory, malicious, and unsubstantiated posts about Nyegenye on her social media platforms, including WhatsApp, Facebook, and X (formerly Twitter).
The court held that the statements were not protected by parliamentary privilege as claimed by Orwoba. "This court finds that Orwoba's statements posted on her personal WhatsApp status and Facebook page and X Page were defamatory, libelous and malicious.
The words complained of were not uttered within the precincts of Parliament and cannot benefit from qualified privilege," the magistrate ruled. The magistrate ruled that Orwoba had not provided any evidence to support her defence.
The court also found that Orwoba's social media posts, which accused Mr Nyegenye of sexual harassment, were made with ill intent and aimed at damaging both his personal and professional reputation. "It is clear that even before making her statements, the Defendant was aware that she could not substantiate the allegations.
