Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba has donated Sh 9 million awarded to him in a defamation lawsuit he filed against Standard Media Group to charity.
CS Namwamba stated that his Foundation will receive the cash and support those with little income and empower youths.
Namwamba won a defamation case against The Standard Media Group, in which he sought to hold it accountable-
for publishing a false and malicious story that cast doubts on his moral character.
“Today, on my birthday, I donate the entirety of the sh 9 million to charity.”
“As Ababu Namwamba Foundation (ANF) marks its 20th Anniversary, its Board of Trustees will receive the money to establish a revolving endowment fund-
To support fees for vulnerable students and to empower transformative youth initiatives,” CS Namwamba said.
The CS however noted that the award for defamation was a tiny relief endured in five years.
He says that the judicial system handled the matter well adding that his family has suffered pain and public shame.
“No amount of money could ever sufficiently restitute me and my family for the horrifying pain, odium and public shame-
occasioned by the irresponsibility and recklessness of the false and malicious publications,” the CS noted.
Court ruling
High Court Judge Dorah Chepkwony ruled in favour of Namwamba, awarding him a total of Sh 9 million in damages.
Therefore,the lawsuit centered around an article in The Nairobian, a publication owned by The Standard-
Insinuated a close relationship between Namwamba and a family member in 2018 when he held the position of CAS.
In her judgment, Justice Chepkwony found that the editors of The Nairobian, had acted maliciously in publishing the article.
However,she noted that the article had severely damaged the reputation of the Namwamba family –
By making untrue allegations against its members, causing them mental anguish and public humiliation.
Chepkwony observed that the article had not only defamed his character but also had implications-
for his appointment as Chief Administrative Secretary in the ministry.
Compensation
Namwamba had sought Sh 50 million in general damages, Sh 12 million in punitive and exemplary damages, and an additional Sh 5 million in aggravated damages.
The court awarded him Sh 5 million in general damages, Sh 3 million in aggravated damages, and Sh 1 million in exemplary damages.
