A Nairobi court has issued orders restraining Kakamega Governor Ferdinand Barasa, his wife Janet Kasilly Barasa and 8 bloggers from making any defamatory statements against Kakamega Women Rep Elsie Busihile.
Senior Principal Magistrate A. Nyoike issued the orders pending the hearing and determination of a case filed against the governor, his wife and bloggers.
The magistrate further ordered the application to be served for interpartes mention for directions on 7th May 2026.
The Women Rep, who is seeking a total of Sh 115 million compensation from the defendants, accuses them of damaging her reputation by calling her a drunkard, immoral, and incompetent.
Through lawyer Danstan Omari, the applicant, claims that the said statements have been made publicly in gatherings and/or media platforms thereby lowering her reputation in the eyes of the public.
“The defendants’ actions have incited the members of the public to ridicule, insult and demean the plaintiff.
Mrs Barasa is said to have authored and issued a demand letter containing false, scandalous, and defamatory imputations against the plaintiff
According to court documents, the said allegations falsely suggest that the Women Rep accused her of involvement in a death, imputed criminal conduct against her and acted maliciously for political gain.
However, Busihile denies uttering the alleged words in the manner pleaded or at all, and states that the allegations are distorted, exaggerated, and maliciously manufactured.
Omari noted that the demand letter itself constitutes a publication of defamatory material, exposing the plaintiff to ridicule, suspicion, and reputational harm.
On the other hand, the bloggers are accused of portraying the Women Rep as an old alcohol abuser.
According to Omari, one of the bloggers did a video on Facebook alleging that Busihile is exploiting young men at a hotel known as Amanda Resort in Kakamega in room 21.
However, it is alleged that the management at the said resort has denied the allegations confirmed that the alleged room referenced in the publications does not exist.
The applicant claims that ghe continued online presence of the defamatory publications is causing irreversible and compounding harm to the plaintiff’s reputation exposing her to public ridicule, hatred and moral condemnation on a massive scale.
The bloggers mentioned are Fabian Musamia, Peter Angatia, Joel Eshkumo, Dennis Weche, Dan Makori Kibwage, Janet Wasike, Melisa Awuor and Tariq Shitiabai.
The Women Rep is seeking Sh 20 million from the governor, Sh 15 million from Mrs Barasa and Sh 10 million from each of the eight bloggers as general damages for defamation.