This archive report was first published on 5 December 2019.
On November 28, Nairobi Senator Johnson Sakaja gave Governor Mike Sonko 48 hours to apologize and retract a Facebook post claiming Sakaja received a bribe from a landgrabber. The deadline has passed, and Sakaja is now preparing a defamation suit against Sonko.
According to Sakaja, Sonko's post on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram was actuated by malice, ill will, and utter recklessness, causing Sakaja to be ridiculed and treated with contempt and disdain.
On November 28, Sakaja's lawyers, Issa and Company Advocates, sent a demand letter to Sonko, requesting an apology, retraction, and admission of liability. If Sonko fails to comply, Sakaja will take him to court.
As reported last month, Sonko alleged that Nairobi MPs received Sh250,000 from a landgrabber through former Nairobi County Assembly Majority Leader Abdi Guyo. He further claimed that Sakaja and Makadara MP George Aladwa received Sh5 million from Guyo but took Sh1.5 million each and lied to other MPs that the amount was only Sh2 million.
However, Sakaja denies the allegations, accusing Sonko of defamation and tainting his reputation. Sakaja's lawyers argue that Sonko's claims would normally imply that the Senator is 'corrupt, a fraudster, and unfit to hold public office.'
