The Siaya Resident Magistrate’s Court has ordered blogger Michael Oduor, popularly known as Mike Ochieng’, to pay KSh 3 million in general damages for defaming Siaya County Public Service Board CEO Wilfred Nyagudi.
Resident Magistrate Jacob Mkala delivered the ruling on Tuesday, finding Oduor guilty of publishing false and damaging statements against Nyagudi on social media.
In addition to the fine, the court directed the blogger to pay KSh 300,000 in exemplary damages and immediately remove all defamatory posts, including memes, images, and statements, from his Facebook and WhatsApp accounts.
The case arose from a series of posts in early 2024, where Oduor accused the Siaya County Public Service Board of employment irregularities, nepotism, and corruption.
However, Magistrate Mkala ruled that the blogger failed to provide credible evidence to support his claims.
The defense had argued that Oduor’s exposé was in the public interest, but the court dismissed this argument, stating that it lacked legal basis.
The magistrate further noted that the defamatory statements were made after Oduor had unsuccessfully sought employment within the county government, which is overseen by Nyagudi.
As part of the judgment, the blogger was also ordered to issue a public apology to Nyagudi on the same platforms where he had posted the defamatory content.
This marks Oduor’s second defamation conviction this year. In March 2024, the High Court fined him KSh 20 million for defaming North Uyoma MCA Booker Bonyo, a ruling his lawyer has since appealed.
The case highlights growing legal scrutiny over online defamation in Kenya, with courts increasingly holding social media users accountable for false and damaging information.
