COTU Secretary General Francis Atwoli now sues Muchai, media house

The row pitting Central Organisation of Trade Unions (Cotu) bosses took a new turn yesterday after Secretary General Francis Atwoli moved to court seeking over Sh500 million from his former deputy and a media house.

Mr Atwoli through lawyer Jesse Oduor wants the court to order his immediate former deputy George Muchai and the Nation Media Group to pay him the money for allegedly defaming him and injuring his reputation and character. He is also seeking general and exemplary damages.

The secretary general also wants the court to issue a permanent injunction against the media house and Muchai from further alleged defamation, publication and distribution of defamatory words and statements.

Atwoli submitted that Muchai has continued to defame him, which can only be stopped by the court and added he would suffer irreparable loss and injustice in the event the application he has filed is not allowed.

 MEDICINE MAN

Atwoli accused Muchai, who is also the Kabete MP, of alleging he was a medicine man, words he explained meant he deals in black magic and witchcraft. He said Muchai further alleged he misappropriated over Sh7 million Cotu funds. Atwoli claimed the move was malicious and intended to injure his reputation and character. “Muchai uttered the words with malicious intent to injure my reputation and character while knowing too well it was false,” submitted Atwoli.

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Lawyer Oduor stated the defamatory words published against Atwoli were: “Francis Atwoli made Sh7 million from land sale” and “Francis Atwoli and his medicine man will no longer be able to assist him.”

Mr Oduor submitted that Muchai and the media house did not make any effort to ascertain the truth before creating a sensational article without any regard to his reputation. Atwoli also wants the court to order the media house to publish an apology.