Court Bars Former MCA Majimbo From Making Defamatory Statements Against Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa
The Magistrates Court in Bungoma has issued restraining orders against former Khalaba Ward MCA Majimbo Okumu, barring him from publishing or further disseminating alleged defamatory statements against Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa.
In orders issued on July 7, 2026, Senior Principal Magistrate Tobias Omono granted interim orders restraining Okumu, “whether by himself, his agents or servants,” from directly or indirectly publishing defamatory statements against the legislator until the application is heard and determined.
The court further directed that MP Barasa serve the application, the plaint and the court orders to the respondent.
Mr. Okumu was ordered to file and serve his response within seven days, after which MP Barasa will have seven days to file a further affidavit, if necessary, and written submissions.
The matter will be mentioned on August 4, 2026, to confirm compliance with the court’s directions.
The dispute stems from remarks allegedly made by Okumu during a church gathering on June 24, 2026. According to court documents filed by Barasa through his lawyer Danstan Omari, the former MCA accused the MP of unlawfully acquiring and stealing a university degree certificate from one Paul Asango.
Barasa contends that the remarks were recorded in both audio and video formats and subsequently circulated on social media platforms.
In his application, Barasa argues that the allegations are false, malicious and intended to damage his reputation as the elected Member of Parliament for Kimilili Constituency.
He further claimed that the continued circulation of the video has exposed him to public ridicule, contempt and embarrassment while causing ongoing reputational harm that cannot adequately be compensated through damages alone.
“The allegations are wholly false, baseless, unsubstantiated, and calculated to portray the Plaintiff as dishonest, fraudulent, and unfit to hold public office,” the application states.
In the substantive application, MP Didmus Barasa is seeking temporary injunctions restraining Okumu from publishing or disseminating any allegedly defamatory statements pending the hearing of both the application and the main suit.
He is also seeking orders compelling the respondent to remove or cause the removal of the impugned content from all social media, digital and online platforms under his control.
