PM’s son to respond to MP’s claims in defamation suit

Published on

By Evelyn Kwamboka

Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s son Fidel has seven days to file papers in a legal battle between him and an MP.

High Court judge Michael Khamoni yesterday allowed Fidel to respond to a defence filed by Kaloleni MP Kazungu Kambi.

Fidel has sued the legislator for associating him with a maize scandal.

The PM’s son is seeking court judgement against the MP on general damages for defamation.

In his defence, Kambi claims he gave an address on the findings of a parliamentary committee he sat in on January 12 this year and denies defaming Fidel.

The MP says he had absolute privilege at the time he made the statements on maize shortage in the country. The statements were based on a parliamentary committee’s findings on investigations carried out on maize shortage that had precipitated a national disaster.

He claims that by the time he made his address, the committee had sat and finalised its investigations.

Adverse effects

Through Kamotho Maiyo and Mbatia law firm, the MP claims maize reserves held by the National Cereals and Produce Board were depleted.

"The public was seeking answers for a problem that could have been properly managed and whose adverse effects could, to a large extent, have been avoided," he claims.

However, Fidel says the MP had no privilege since he made the statements outside Parliament chambers.

In his suit, Fidel argues statements by the MP, which were broadcast in the local media, portrayed him as corrupt.

Fidel has filed the suit through Rachier & Amolo Advocates Company at the High Court of Nairobi. He is seeking a permanent injunction from the court to restrain the defendant from further defaming him.

Kazungu is said to have made the allegations last month, within Parliament Buildings at a press conference.