Kakamega County Woman Representative Elsie Muhanda Busihile has on Friday 10th, April, 2026, through her lawyer Danstan Omari, filed a lawsuit seeking KSH 115 million in injunctive relief against Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa and eight bloggers over alleged defamatory publications.
In a suit filed before the Nairobi court, the legislator accuses the governor and eight bloggers of disseminating false, malicious, and injurious statements through public forums and digital platforms.
She contends that the publications were intended to damage her reputation and undermine her political credibility. According to the pleadings, Muhanda alleges that Governor Barasa made statements portraying her as a habitual drunkard and questioning her suitability to hold public office.
She argues that the remarks were politically instigated and calculated to weaken her standing ahead of the 2027 General Election, in which she has declared interest in vying for the gubernatorial seat.
The legislator is seeking KSh 115 million in general damages from the governor for alleged libel and slander, citing reputational harm, emotional distress, and injury to her political career.
The suit also names eight bloggers—Fabian Musamia, Peter Angatia, Joel Eshikumo, Dennis Weche, Dan Makori Kibwage, Janet Wasike, Melisa Awour, and Tariq Shitiabai whom she accuses of publishing defamatory claims.
The bloggers allegedly circulated statements accusing her of alcohol abuse and immoral conduct involving young men at a Kakamega hotel. Muhanda maintains that the allegations are entirely false, malicious, and intended to tarnish her public image.
Court documents further indicate that the management of Amanda Resort in Kakamega refuted the claims, confirming that the room cited in the allegations does not exist.
Through a Notice of Motion anchored on constitutional provisions safeguarding human dignity and regulating freedom of expression, the MP is seeking both temporary and permanent injunctions to restrain further publication and dissemination of the contested content.
Additionally, she is urging the court to compel the respondents to pull down the publications, delete the content from platforms including WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, and X, and issue public apologies with equal prominence. She is also seeking KSh115 million in damages against the bloggers.
The matter has been certified as urgent by the court, with the applicant warning that the continued viral spread of the statements on digital platforms risks causing irreparable harm unless immediate judicial intervention is granted.
The case now awaits determination, with the court expected to decide on the interim orders sought as the dispute over alleged defamation and political rivalry unfolds.
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