A legal storm is brewing after the High Court in Nakuru directed that a defamation case pitting former President Daniel arap Moi’s press secretary Lee Njiru and personal secretary John Lokorio will proceed to full hearing in January.
Justice Joel Ngugi directed the two parties to file crucial documents within 14 days before the hearing starts.
Mr Njiru has sued Mr Lokorio and his driver, Peter Ng’etich, accusing them of defamation.
Justice Ngugi said Mr Lokorio's application seeking to dismiss the suit will be dealt with by way of written submissions.
“I direct both parties to serve their submissions within 14 days before the matter is heard on January 24,” said Justice Ngugi in his ruling on Monday.
Mr Njiru, a long-serving press secretary of the former president, moved to court on June 21 this year accusing Mr Lokorio and Mr Ng’etich of defamation after the latter said that Mr Njiru had retired and was holding office and a government vehicle illegally.
Earlier, Mr Ngetich recorded a statement at Menengai Police Station in Rongai, Nakuru County, over the matter.
In the statement dated October 9, 2017, the driver said that Mr Njiru had retired and should not have a government car.
Mr Njiru says Mr Lokorio ordered that the vehicle be repossed. Mr Njiru has maintained that he has not retired and is holding office legally in accordance with the Presidential Retirement Benefits Act.
In court documents, he accused Mr Lokorio of illegally trying to force him out of office before his tenure ends in 2021.
Mr Njiru attached a letter signed by former State House comptroller Lawrence Lenayapa, dated June 5, 2017, indicating that his contract had been extended to June 30, 2020.
He further annexed another letter signed by State House comptroller Kinuthia Mbugua dated September 25, showing his contract extension again to September 11, 2021.
“This is to convey to you the decision by the Public Service Commission of Kenya that you have been appointed/ upgraded to the grade of personal assistant/press secretary in the office of former President Daniel arap Moi for a period of three years with effect from September 12, 2018,” read the letter.
The case will be heard in January 24, 2019.
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