Court orders Githongo to pay Murungaru Sh27 million for linking him with Anglo leasing

Former Ethics and Governance PS John Githongo, right, Opposition Leader Raila Odinga (center) and Former Internal Security minister Chris Murungaru (left) at the Milimani Law Courts during the hearing of a defamation case in which the former Minister was accused of Anglo leasing scandal. [Fidelis Kabunyi/Standard]

Former Governance and Ethics Permanent Secretary John Githongo has been ordered to pay former Internal Security Minister Chris Murungaru Sh27 million for defamation.

Justice Joseph Sergon yesterday ordered the former anti-graft czar to pay the amount in full, failure to which it will attract interest at the court’s rates.

The case arose from the Anglo Leasing scandal in which the Government paid billions of shillings in ghost security printing contracts.

Quick rejoinder

In the case that has lasted 13 years, the court found that Githongo defamed the former Internal Security minister in a dossier on Anglo Leasing.

In a quick rejoinder after the judgement, Githongo said that he was preparing for another round of legal battle at the Court of Appeal.

“I am disappointed though not surprised by the judgement that has emerged from the High Court regarding the Anglo Leasing defamation matter against me by the former internal security and provincial affairs minister. It is my intention to appeal this judgement as vigorously as possible,” he said.

Tarnished reputation

“Sadly the Anglo Leasing model of misappropriation of resources from the Kenyan people has continued unabated since 2001,” he said.

Murungaru had maintained that the dossier by the former PS in President Mwai Kibaki’s government tarnished his good reputation.

He told the court that a parliamentary watchdog committee had cleared him of all claims related to the Anglo Leasing scandal.