Kisii Governor Simba Arati has obtained temporary court orders restraining Kitutu Chache South MP Richard Onyonka from making or publishing further statements alleged to be defamatory pending the hearing of a suit filed before the High Court in Kisii.
In directions issued in Civil Case No. HCCC/E004/2026, the court certified Arati's application as urgent and ordered that it be served immediately.
The court directed Onyonka to file his response within seven days, while granting the governor leave to file a supplementary affidavit within three days of receiving the response.
The matter is scheduled for mention on June 16, 2026, for further directions.
Pending the inter partes hearing of the application, the court issued a temporary injunction restraining the MP, his agents, or any person acting on his behalf from publishing or disseminating further statements concerning the governor.
In his application dated June 2, 2026, Arati accuses Onyonka of publishing a letter dated June 9, 2025, which he claims contained false and malicious allegations intended to tarnish his reputation.
"The Respondent has published false and highly defamatory statements against the Applicant which have caused damage to his reputation as a Governor tending to expose the Applicant to ridicule, hatred and contempt," the application states.
Arati argues that the publication portrayed him as a person lacking integrity and falsely suggested that he threatens people, associates with criminal gangs, engages in violence, mismanages county resources, violates procurement laws, and avoids accountability.
According to the governor, the publication injured his standing among residents of Kisii County, county employees, professional colleagues, friends and family.
"The said publication is not only defamatory but damages my reputation, tarnishes my image as not being able to govern and lead the people of the great County Government of Kisii and that I govern through violence and mismanagement," Arati states in his supporting affidavit.
The governor further told the court that Onyonka acted maliciously and knowingly published untrue allegations.
"I stand to suffer irreparable damage if the Defendant is not restrained from publishing or issuing such false, derogatory and damaging statements about me," he said.
Arati is also seeking orders compelling the MP to remove and delete all allegedly defamatory posts, videos and articles published on WhatsApp, Facebook and other media platforms.
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