The court has ordered Standard Media to pay a hefty Sh9 million in damages over a false story that tarnished the character of Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba.
In a verdict rendered on Saturday December 23, Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba emerged triumphant in a defamation case against The Standard Media Group. The court, presided over by High Court Judge Dorah Chepkwony, ruled in favor of Namwamba, awarding him a significant sum of Sh9 million in damages.
The case centered around a false and malicious story published in The Nairobian, a publication owned by The Standard, questioning Namwamba’s moral character and insinuating a close relationship with a family member.
Namwamba, who filed the case jointly with his brothers and a pastor, sought justice against the damaging article published in 2018. The court found The Nairobian’s editors acted maliciously, causing severe damage to Namwamba’s reputation and inflicting mental anguish on his family.
The article not only defamed him but also had potential implications for his role as Chief Administrative Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The court’s ruling acknowledged the unwarranted harm caused by the defamatory article, vindicating Namwamba’s claim. In response to the false publication, Namwamba had sought Sh50 million in damages.
The court granted him Sh5 million in general damages, Sh3 million in aggravated damages, and Sh1 million in exemplary damages. The decision sends a strong message about accountability in media, emphasizing the consequences of publishing baseless and damaging stories.
This verdict stands as a significant win for Namwamba, affirming his commitment to upholding his reputation against false accusations.