Kakamega Woman Representative Elsie Muhanda Busihile has filed a defamation suit against Governor Fernandes Barasa, his wife Prof Janet Kassily Barasa, and several bloggers over what she describes as a sustained campaign of false and malicious attacks against her.
In an application filed under a certificate of urgency through her lawyer Danstan Omari, Muhanda argues that the defendants have published and continue to disseminate defamatory content across public rallies, blogs and social media platforms with wide and uncontrolled circulation.
The bloggers named in the suit are Fabian Musamia, Peter Angatia, Joel Eshkumo, Dennis Weche, Dan Makori Kibwage, Janet Wasike, Melisa Awour and Tariq Shitiabai.
She accuses the defendants of portraying her as a drunkard, incompetent, and unfit to hold office claims she strongly denies.
Muhanda further claims that the blog falsely depict her as an alcohol abuser and allege involvement in immoral and exploitative conduct, allegations she terms as entirely false, scandalous and gravely injurious to her reputation.
According to court documents, the statements have been made both in public forums and online platforms, exposing her to ridicule, contempt and reputational damage on a large scale.
She adds that the management of a Kakamega-based resort mentioned in the allegations has already discredited the claims, confirming that key details cited in the posts are false.
Muhanda contends that the defendants’ actions have subjected her to sustained public attacks, causing emotional distress, embarrassment and damage to her standing as a public office holder.
“The defendants have published and are actively and continuously disseminating false, malicious and highly defamatory statements… causing irreversible and compounding harm,” the court papers state.
She further argues that the alleged statements are politically motivated and aimed at undermining her ahead of the 2027 general elections, where she intends to vie for the Kakamega gubernatorial seat.
The Woman Representative now wants the court to issue immediate temporary orders restraining all the defendants, their agents or associates from publishing or disseminating any further defamatory statements.
She is also seeking a permanent injunction to stop any future publications, as well as orders compelling the defendants to retract the statements, delete all related content, and issue a public apology with equal prominence.
Additionally, Muhanda is seeking Sh18 million in general damages for libel and slander, alongside costs of the suit.
She argues that unless the court intervenes urgently, the continued publication of the alleged statements, particularly on online platforms, will cause irreparable harm that cannot be adequately compensated by damages alone.
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