Court fines Student 7.5m for defamation on Facebook

Agreed. This punitive fine must be seen in light of the GenZ Movement.

Regards

*Ali Hussein*

Fintech | Digital Transformation

Tel: +254 713 601113

Twitter: @AliHKassim

LinkedIn: Ali’s Profile <ke.linkedin.com/in/alihkassim>
<ke.linkedin.com/in/alihkassim>

Any information of a personal nature expressed in this email are purely
mine and do not necessarily reflect the official positions of the
organizations that I work with.

On Wed, May 28, 2025 at 5:27 PM Twahir Hussein Kassim via KICTANet <
[email protected]> wrote:

> 😁 I guess Tyson really misses the ring!
>
> On a serious note, there should be a way to protect both the offended and
> the offender. We have a saying in Kiswahili, “Mwana akinyelea paja,
> halikatwi, huoshwa!” 😄 (literally translates to “When a baby poopoos on
> the lap, it isn’t cut off, it’s washed!”.
>
> Thus going by the saying, the 7.5m, to borrow the Swahili saying… “ni
> kukata paja!” (is cutting off the lap), why not wash it?
>
> THK
>
> On Wed, May 28, 2025 at 4:38 PM Ali Hussein <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>> Twahir and all
>>
>> Let me share a quote from I think one boxer – Mike Tyson
>>
>> Mike Tyson has publicly voiced frustration with social media abuse,
>> stating that *it has made people “way too comfortable with disrespecting
>> people and not getting punched in the face for it,” *according to a post
>> on Instagram <www.instagram.com/p/DCSkQPQxbRP/>. He has used his
>> platform to express his disapproval of online negativity and the ease with
>> which people can engage in abusive behavior.
>>
>> There are always two sides (or even more!) of a story.
>>
>> Regards
>>
>>
>> *Ali Hussein*
>>
>>
>> Fintech | Digital Transformation
>>
>>
>> Tel: +254 713 601113
>>
>> Twitter: @AliHKassim
>>
>> LinkedIn: Ali’s Profile <ke.linkedin.com/in/alihkassim>
>> <ke.linkedin.com/in/alihkassim>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> Any information of a personal nature expressed in this email are purely
>> mine and do not necessarily reflect the official positions of the
>> organizations that I work with.
>>
>>
>> On Wed, May 28, 2025 at 3:49 PM Twahir Hussein Kassim via KICTANet <
>> [email protected]> wrote:
>>
>>> Listers,
>>>
>>> This case raises critical questions about digital rights, responsible
>>> online speech, and fair legal penalties. While defamation laws protect
>>> individuals, a KSh 7.5M fine for a student seems excessive and may set a
>>> worrying precedent.
>>>
>>> Digital literacy is essential to help users understand the consequences
>>> of online statements, but courts must also ensure that penalties are
>>> proportionate. Should alternative remedies—such as structured compensation
>>> or public corrections—be considered in cases involving young individuals?
>>>
>>> Balancing accountability and fairness is key to fostering responsible
>>> digital discourse without imposing undue burdens. As internet governance
>>> evolves, justice must remain accessible and reasonable for all.
>>>
>>> My 2 cents
>>>
>>> Twahir
>>>
>>> On Wed, May 28, 2025 at 3:29 PM Innocent Muteshi via KICTANet <
>>> [email protected]> wrote:
>>>
>>>> Not really it’s okay it serves as a good lesson to those who love
>>>> defaming people aimlessly.
>>>>
>>>> On Wed, May 28, 2025, 10:41 AM Mwendwa Kivuva via KICTANet <
>>>> [email protected]> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> Is this defamation judgement excessive?
>>>>>
>>>>> A third-year law student at the University of Nairobi, Kevin Ndung’u,
>>>>> has been ordered by an Eldoret court to pay KSh 7.5 million in damages for
>>>>> defaming Benard Kagia, the driver of Prophet David Owuor of the Repentance
>>>>> and Holiness Ministry. The defamation case arose after Ndung’u made
>>>>> Facebook posts accusing Kagia of infidelity and claiming he could not take
>>>>> care of his family, which reportedly led to the breakdown of Kagia’s
>>>>> marriage.
>>>>>
>>>>> Kagia filed a libel case, arguing the comments were harmful and
>>>>> defamatory. Chief Magistrate Dennis Mikoyan ruled in Kagia’s favor, stating
>>>>> that the statements were indeed defamatory and emphasizing the serious
>>>>> legal consequences of making such remarks online. Ndung’u protested the
>>>>> hefty fine, telling the court he had no assets or property to pay the
>>>>> amount ordered. The matter is set for further directions on May 28, 2025.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> nation.africa/kenya/counties/uasin-gishu/uon-student-sh7-5m-fine-for-defaming-prophet-owuor-driver-5059120
>>>>>
>>>>> Best Regards
>>>>> ______________________
>>>>> Mwendwa Kivuva
>>>>> www.linkedin.com/in/mwendwa-kivuva
>>>>>