Apologise or else...Waiguru tells Njeri Maina over 'defamatory statement'

Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru (left) and Woman Representative Njeri Maina (right). [File, Standard]

Kirinyaga Woman Representative Njeri Maina has seven days to withdraw alleged defamatory statements against Governor Anne Waiguru, her lawyers now say.

In a letter seen by The Standard, Waiguru, through her lawyers, claims that Maina defamed her in a Facebook post [Maina’s] on August 24.

“On August 24, 2023, you published by posting on your Facebook page; Governor Anne Waiguru, why do you want to kill me? I know you’ve sent your goons Sh30,000 each to go to hiding through your agent called kings…,” stated Waiguru.

Waiguru’s lawyers now claim the post, which was directed at their client has since caused damage to her reputation.

“Our Client is the Governor of Kirinyaga County and the Chairperson of the Council of Governors. She is held in high esteem by the public at large. Your recklessness has caused and continues to inflict damage to her image and reputation,” the letter read in part.

Governor Waiguru is now demanding an apology from the Kirinyaga Woman Rep, including having the ‘defamatory statements’ retracted.

Other demands include: “Immediately cease and desist from your unwarranted defamation of our client on any medium, and publish an unconditional apology through the same medium used to defame our Client.”

Waiguru’s lawyers further stated that Maina has seven days to adhere to their demands or risk other consequences.

The Standard reached out to Maina for comment, but our texts went unanswered at the time of publishing. 

The Kirinyaga Woman Representative was among several people who were injured after her supporters and those of Governor Anne Waiguru clashed at the Kirinyaga Police Station earlier this week.

Maina sustained serious head injuries and was treated at the Kirinyaga County Referral Hospital before being transferred to the Nairobi Hospital for specialised care.

Waiguru later condemned the incident saying: “I wish to condemn any acts of violence and reiterate that, no matter the reason we don’t condone tolerate violence,” she wrote on Facebook.

Maina, who is being represented by Lawyer Otiende Amollo recorded a statement yesterday over the attack.