CJ's secretary sues MP over defamation

By WAHOME THUKU

Chief Justice Evan Gicheru's secretary has sued Kamukunji MP Simon Mbugua over alleged defamation.

Ms Jacinta Wangari Gitau accuses Mr Mbugua of defaming her in connection to the ongoing petition challenging his election as MP.

The suit filed at the High Court in Nairobi introduced a new side to the controversies that have dogged the petition filed in August 2008.

Mbugua is accused of having defamed Gitau in a letter he wrote to the CJ on November 2. The letter was Mbugua’s protest over the appointments of Lady Justice Mary Ang’awa to preside over the petition.

He allegedly accused the secretary of lobbying and influencing the appointment of Ms Ang’awa by the CJ.

Ang’awa was appointed to take over the case after two other judges disqualified themselves, one over threats made to her by unknown people and the other over bribery remarks made in court.

ODM loser Ibrahim Ahmed filed the petition after Mbugua was declared winner following a court order in August 2008.