University Student Fined Ksh.7.5M for Defaming Prophet Owuor’s Driver
A third-year law student at the University of Nairobi has been fined Ksh.7.5 million by an Eldoret court for defaming Prophet David Owuor’s driver through social media.
The ruling was delivered on Tuesday, May 27, under the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act No. 5 of 2018. The case, which involved Kevin Ndung’u Kiriga, stemmed from a Facebook post he made three years ago, in which he referred to Benard Kagia—a driver for Prophet Owuor’s Repentance and Holiness Ministry—as “a prostitute” and accused him of failing to take care of his family.
The defamatory remarks reportedly led to the breakdown of Kagia’s marriage, prompting him to sue the student for libel.
In his ruling, Eldoret Chief Magistrate Dennis Mikoyan affirmed that the statements made by Kiriga were false, malicious, and damaging to the reputation of the plaintiff. “Words spoken or published online are not immune from the law. Social media is not a lawless zone,” Mikoyan stated while delivering the judgment.
The court ordered Kiriga to pay Ksh.7.5 million in damages, emphasizing the need for civility and legal accountability in the digital space. “Users of digital platforms must exercise responsibility. Defamatory statements made online can ruin lives and attract grave legal consequences,” the magistrate warned.
Kiriga, visibly distressed by the verdict, told the court he was unable to raise the amount, citing that he owns no assets or property. The court, however, upheld the judgment and scheduled a further mention of the case for May 28, 2025, to determine the next course of action regarding compliance.
This case comes amid growing concern over online defamation and cyber harassment, with lawmakers and digital rights advocates calling for more public awareness on the consequences of reckless speech on social media platforms.
In other news:Senator Karungo wa Thang’wa Tells Ruto: Apologise Through Action, Not Words
University Student Fined Ksh.7.5M for Defaming Prophet Owuor’s Driver