Orengo to pay ex-Kisii governor's mother Sh1 million for defamation

Siaya Governor James Orengo when he appeared before the committee on County Public Investments and Special Funds on July 13, 2023. [Elvis Ogina, Standard]

Kisii Law Courts has ordered Siaya Governor James Orengo to pay former Kisii Governor Jame Ongwae's mother Grace Moraa Ongwae, Sh1 million for defamation.

The court further ordered Orengo to issue a public apology to 94-year-old Moraa.

In the petition, she argued that "Orengo, aware that Kisii County is Raila Odinga's bedrock, deliberately made derogatory remarks to invoke ridicule, mockery, and suspicion, because Moraa's son, James Ongwae, who is a well-known public figure had at the time-shifted from Azimio to the Government side"

Moraa told the court that Orengo's statement was delivered with recklessness.

"Through the reckless utterances of the defendant, my reputation has been injured, disparaged, and lowered in the eyes of the general public and right-thinking members of the society," she said.

She claimed that Governor Orengo had refused to offer an apology.

Moraa had sought general damages for slander, aggravated and exemplary damages, an order for Orengo to offer and publish an apology of the same magnitude, and a permanent injunction on the Governor or his agents from further making defamatory remarks against her.

In his Judgment on Monday, Resident Magistrate Paul Mutai ordered Orengo to pay Moraa Sh500,000 for general damages, exemplary damage of Sh300,000, aggravated damages of Sh200,000, and costs of the suit.

The magistrate also ordered Orengo to publish and upload a clear apology of equal prominence with equal national coverage within 60 days from the date of his Judgment.