Wednesday, May 28, 2025 - An Eldoret court has fined a University of Nairobi third-year law student Ksh.7.5 million for defaming Bernard Kagia, a driver attached to Prophet David Owuor, of the Repentance and Holiness Ministry.
The case, filed under the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes
Act No. 5 of 2018, stems from Facebook posts made by the student, Kevin Ndung’u
Kiriga, over three years ago.
Kiriga reportedly referred to Kagia as a “pr0st!tute” and
claimed he was incapable of supporting his family, statements which Kagia
argued were defamatory and harmful.
According to court testimony, the defamatory remarks
contributed to the breakdown of Kagia’s marriage.
He later filed a libel suit, which Eldoret Chief Magistrate
Dennis Mikoyan ruled in his favor.
In his judgement, Mikoyan affirmed that the statements were
defamatory and stressed the need for digital civility.
“Words shared online have consequences,” he stated, warning
social media users of the legal risks of cyber defamation.
Kiriga, in response to the ruling, pleaded financial
incapacity, claiming he owned no property or assets to settle the hefty
damages.
He told the court he was unable to raise the required
amount.
The matter is scheduled for further direction on May 28th,
2025.
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