Kidero sues Khalwale for defamation over Mumias Sugar

The High Court has restrained Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale from making remarks linking Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero to the Mumias Sugar Company scam.

Justice Joseph Sergon issued the orders after Dr Kidero sued Dr Khalwale over slanderous remarks allegedly made in public.

Kidero is aggrieved by Khalwale's remarks linking him to the financial problems that befell the sugar miller. In what has been seen as a war of words in the past few days, Kidero asked Khalwale to issue a public apology but Khalwale turned a deaf ear and instead challenged him to press the charges.

And in an expected move, Kidero filed the suit papers yesterday, saying Khalwale's remarks have injured his standing in the society.

"Unless stopped, I am apprehensive that my reputation will be irreversibly tainted and lowered in the estimation of right thinking people and I will suffer irreparably," he stated.

Through lawyer Tom Ojienda, Kidero asked the court to certify the matter as urgent and dispense with it as soon as possible. Khalwale, he said, allegedly made the offensive remarks while at Mumias Complex in Kakamega County during the presidential visit to the sugar company.

He said, "The defendant (Khalwale) maliciously and recklessly and without justification slandered me."

The Nairobi Governor further accused Khalwale of slandering him again at a press conference and on his Twitter account.

"Khalwale continues to engage in character assassination and incitement of public in spite against me," he said. The matter will be heard on July 15.