A Magistrates Court in Nairobi found nominated Senator Gloria Orwoba guilty of defaming the Clerk of the Senate Jeremiah Nyegenye through unsubstantiated claims of sexual harassment made on social media.
In a judgment delivered by Magistrate Ruguru Ngotho, the court ruled that Orwoba’s posts on her WhatsApp status, Facebook page, and X (formerly Twitter) accusing the Senate Clerk of making sexual advances were defamatory, malicious, and unsupported by evidence.
The court awarded Nyegenye, who serves as the Clerk of the Senate and Secretary to the Parliamentary Service Commission, Sh8 million in general damages and an additional Sh2.5 million in exemplary and aggravated damages, bringing the total to Sh10.5 million.
Orwoba was also directed to issue a formal apology, approved by the clerk, on all her social media platforms and in a national newspaper within 30 days.
In her posts, Orwoba accused the Senate Clerk of sexual misconduct.
However, the court found she failed to provide any evidence to support her claims or show that she had reported the alleged harassment to any investigative authority.
