Ex-Nominated Senator Gloria Orwoba Ordered to Pay Ksh10.5 Million for Defamation
Former nominated senator Gloria Orwoba has been dealt a significant legal blow after the Milimani Commercial Court found her guilty of defaming Senate Clerk Jeremiah Nyegenye. The court, in a ruling delivered by Magistrate Ruguru Ngotho on July 15, 2025, ordered Orwoba to pay Ksh10.5 million in total damages for defamatory statements made on her social media platforms, including WhatsApp, Facebook, and X (formerly Twitter).
The case stems from statements made by Orwoba in 2023, in which she accused Nyegenye of sexual harassment and professional misconduct. These claims were not made through official parliamentary channels but rather circulated widely on social media platforms. The court ruled that Orwoba’s actions fell outside the protection of parliamentary privilege, which only applies to statements made within parliamentary proceedings or its precincts.
Court’s Findings
The court found that Orwoba failed to present credible evidence to support her claims and acted with malice and recklessness. Magistrate Ngotho concluded that her statements were defamatory and meant to exert pressure on Nyegenye by influencing public opinion rather than seeking justice through established mechanisms.
According to the ruling, Orwoba’s conduct amounted to “a deliberate and malicious misuse of her platform to defame the plaintiff”, with the intent to damage his personal and professional reputation.
Breakdown of Damages
The court awarded Nyegenye the following:
- Ksh8 million in general damages
- Ksh2.5 million in exemplary and aggravated damages
- Ksh1 million in default damages, to be incurred if Orwoba fails to issue a public apology within 30 days
In addition, the court issued a permanent injunction barring Orwoba from repeating or republishing any of the defamatory remarks about Nyegenye, either directly or through third parties.
Orwoba is required to publish a formal apology approved by Nyegenye on all her social media platforms and in at least one national newspaper. This apology must be issued within 30 days from the date of the ruling. Failure to do so will activate the Ksh1 million penalty and subject her to additional interest charges on the awarded amounts.
The court’s decision has been widely interpreted as a landmark ruling on the limits of social media expression by public figures. While acknowledging the right to free speech, the judgment emphasized that public accusations—especially those damaging to character—must be backed by verifiable evidence and follow lawful channels.
Legal experts say the ruling underscores the importance of due process and responsible communication, particularly for individuals who hold or have held public office.
