Rongai parliamentary hopeful Mercy Chebet Chelel has demanded a public apology and Sh50 million in compensation from fellow aspirant Tonny Kipkurui Wendot over alleged defamatory remarks and political attacks.
In a demand letter dated June 4, 2026, Chebet, through lawyer Danstan Omari, accuses Wendot of making remarks during a fundraising harambee in Menengai West Ward on May 24 that allegedly portrayed her as unfit for leadership and subjected her to ridicule based on cultural practices relating to female circumcision.
According to the letter, Wendot allegedly addressed the gathering in Kalenjin and made comments that were interpreted as suggesting Chebet should undergo female genital mutilation before contesting for the Rongai parliamentary seat. The advocates claim the remarks portrayed her as “unworthy of leading men” and incapable of holding the position she seeks.
“Your unhinged, unprovoked, misplaced and malicious utterances are a continuous trend, spanning from your dented ego, as a result of the huge political traction our client is fast-gaining,” the letter reads.
Chebet further alleges that the attacks continued on May 26 during a funeral within the constituency, where she claims she was harassed and disrupted while addressing mourners.
“So enraged and hateful have you been that on 26th May 2026, when our client was attending a funeral within the constituency and addressing a gathering of mourners, you sent goons to viciously attack her, harass her and disrupt the funeral service,” the lawyers wrote.
The demand letter also accuses Wendot of using local administrative officers to facilitate or shield the alleged attacks, actions Chebet says undermined her dignity and political standing.
Through her advocates, Chebet argues that the alleged statements were discriminatory, unconstitutional and offensive to women seeking leadership positions. She is demanding that Wendot publicly admit making the remarks, issue an unequivocal apology within seven days and pay Sh50 million for the alleged reputational and political damage.
The lawyers warned that failure to comply with the demands would result in legal action.
“Should you fail to strictly abide by the demands of our client within the stipulated timelines, we shall, without haste, move to press legal charges against you,” the letter states.
Wendot had not publicly responded to the allegations contained in the demand letter by the time of publication.
