Rashid Echesa’s Defamation Case Against Seth Panyako Set for January 22 Hearing
Echesa is seeking injunctive orders over statements he claims were defamatory. According to court documents, the statements published and broadcast by the defendants were presented as facts rather than opinions and were intended to portray him as a murderer, arsonist, violent criminal, and a threat to public safety
By : Mweru Mbugua
The High Court has scheduled a hearing for January 22, 2026, in a defamation case filed by former Cabinet Secretary Rashid Echesa against Seth Panyako
Echesa is seeking injunctive orders over statements he claims were defamatory. According to court documents, the statements published and broadcast by the defendants were presented as facts rather than opinions and were intended to portray him as a murderer, arsonist, violent criminal, and a threat to public safety
The former CS denies all allegations, describing them as false, malicious, and without factual or legal basis
He insists that he has never led, commanded, or participated in any violent group or criminal activity, nor has he engaged in arson or homicide. No criminal charges have ever been filed against him related to these claims
Echesa also accuses YouTube channels and media houses named as the second and third defendants Obinna TV of exercising full editorial control over the broadcast without verifying the allegations, seeking his response, or removing the content, despite a formal demand. He argues this makes them jointly and severally liable
The former CS claims the publications have caused him public ridicule, hostility, and distress, affecting his reputation and undermining public confidence in his leadership as a national statutory body chairman
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Through his lawyers, Kimani & Company Advocates, Echesa states that he demanded a retraction and apology on December 5, 2025, which the defendants ignored, demonstrating malice and reckless disregard for the truth
Echesa is requesting the court to:
Declare the statements defamatory
Issue a permanent injunction against further publication
Order an unqualified retraction and unconditional apology in a full-page newspaper
Award general and aggravated damages, costs, and interest
The court has directed that the application be served to the respondents and confirmed the inter-partes hearing date of January 22, 2026
