President Kenyatta sues local media house

President Uhuru Kenyatta on Thursday, February 9 opposed an application that seeks to have him withdraw a defamation case he filed against a local media house.

The President argues that the case was instituted prior to him assuming the Office of the President and performing the functions of the said office.

“By reasons of the above matters the delay or suspension in prosecuting the present case during the said period is valid and justified in law,” he argues.

In the case, the local media house – KTN, wanted the case withdrawn arguing that the President has failed to set down the suit for hearing or initiate any process in preparation for hearing.

“It is just and fair that we be relieved of the burden of the pending litigation in the circumstances as every case should be concluded one way or the other within a reasonable period of time,” argued KTN.

KTN says that President Uhuru Kenyatta has lost interest in this suit.

In the case, President Kenyatta filed a defamation case against Baraza Limited, which is trading as KTN. The case was filed on November 12, 2010 when Kenyatta was serving as Deputy Prime Minister.

President Kenyatta claims that the local television station helped the then Prime Minister, Raila Odinga, in spreading false statements he made against him concerning post-election violence.

The court directed KTN to file and serve written submissions within 21 days while the applicant President Kenyatta should have 21 days from the date of service to serve submissions.

The case will be mentioned on April 3, 2017 for oral highlighting.