Kileleshwa Ward MCA Robert Alai has told the High Court that he neither owns nor operates a Facebook account, distancing himself from a social media profile at the centre of a defamation suit filed by veteran broadcaster Fred Machoka.
Alai, who is defending himself against claims that defamatory statements about Machoka were published on a Facebook account bearing his name, maintained that he has no connection to the account in question.
Testifying before Justice Stella Mutuku at the Milimani High Court on Wednesday, Alai said the only social media platforms he uses are TikTok and X, formerly Twitter.
He told the court that he joined TikTok in 2026 and opened his X account in 2025, but acknowledged that he had not produced evidence before the court to support those claims.
“I do not own or operate any social media account, particularly a Facebook account under the name Robert Alai. The only accounts I have are on TikTok and Twitter,” he told the court.
Alai further stated that he had never met, interacted with, or known Machoka before the suit was filed, saying he only became aware of the media personality after the case was instituted against him.
The MCA also expressed dissatisfaction with the proceedings, arguing that the publicity surrounding the case had caused greater reputational harm to him than to the plaintiff.
During cross-examination, the court heard that Alai had previously been charged in 2020 with publishing false information under Section 23 of the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act. He confirmed the charge but noted that he was later acquitted.
In his defence, Alai has also challenged the manner in which he was identified in the suit, stating that his full name is Robert Alai Onyango and not “Robert Alai” as indicated in the court documents.
The matter is set to proceed before the High Court for further hearing and determination.
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