Kenya Power sues consumer lobby group for defamation

Kenya Power Managing Director Ben Chumo

Kenya Power Company has sued Consumers Federation of Kenya for defamation.

Kenya Power filed an application before the High Court seeking orders to bar Cofek from publishing defamation material on its website and on its twitter handle relating to Kenya Power or its Managing Director Ben Chumo.

The matter was brought before Justice Msagha Mbogoli. Lawyer Kiragu Kimani for Kenya Power said: "Our clients' constitutional rights to have their dignity and reputation respected and protected as provided by Articles 28 and 33(3) of the Constitution of Kenya have been infringed."

"My character, credit and reputation has been seriously injured," Dr Chumo said in an affidavit.

Justice Mbogoli directed Kenya Power to serve Cofek with application and both parties appear in court on May 31. On the other hand, Cofek has instructed its' lawyers to enter an appearance in the said suit.

The spat between Kenya Power and Cofek allegedly started last month after Cofek accused Kenya Power of corruption and poor governance.

In a letter, Chumo and Kenya Power had given Cofek three days to apologise and compensate them but Cofek declined to do so and instead offered a concession.