Kileleshwa MCA Robert Alai has responded with amusement and dismissal after photos of him sharing a meal with veteran broadcaster Fred Obachi Machoka and lawyer Danstan Omari went viral alongside claims that he had paid Machoka Ksh 500,000 to settle their defamation case out of court. When Eng John Macharia posted the claim on X alongside the lunch photos Alai retorted “You people are drunk or what?” followed by laughing emojis making clear he found the settlement story laughable.
The photos showing the three men seated together at what appears to be a restaurant caused significant confusion on social media given that Machoka and Omari are on the opposing side of an active Ksh 60 million defamation lawsuit against Alai at Milimani High Court. The images spread rapidly with many Kenyans interpreting the lunch as evidence of behind-the-scenes negotiations.
Alai’s response did not explain the context of the meal or why the three men were together. He simply denied the settlement narrative without offering any alternative explanation leaving the public to continue drawing their own conclusions about what the lunch actually represented.
The defamation case stems from a Facebook post that Machoka alleges falsely claimed he was HIV positive mentally unstable and on ARVs. Machoka filed a Ksh 60 million suit arguing the post caused catastrophic damage to his reputation and a personal brand he values at over Ksh 200 million. Alai has consistently denied being the owner of the Facebook account behind the post.
In recent court sessions Omari had aggressively cross-examined Alai challenging his denial with digital evidence linking him to the account. Machoka himself took the stand to describe the emotional and professional toll the allegations had taken on him over the years.
Whether the lunch was a casual coincidence a deliberate peace meeting or something else entirely remains unexplained. Alai’s laughing dismissal of the settlement story has done little to kill the speculation which continues to run wild on social media.
The case remains active at Milimani High Court and no official statement confirming any settlement has been issued by either party.