The Milimani Commercial Court in Nairobi has ordered former nominated Senator Gloria Orwoba to pay Ksh10.5 million in damages to Senate Clerk Jeremiah Nyegenye after she defamed him through a series of social media posts accusing him of sexual harassment.

In a judgment on Monday, July 14, 2025 Magistrate Ruguru Ngotho declared that Orwoba’s statements, posted on her WhatsApp, Facebook and X, were false.

The court found that the posts, which accused Nyegenye of sexual harassment, were not protected by parliamentary privilege.

“The words posted and published by the defendant concerning the Plaintiff are defamatory, libelous, and malicious,” the magistrate ruled.

As a result, the court awarded Nyegenye Ksh8 million in general damages and Ksh2.5 million in exemplary and aggravated damages.

In addition, Nyegenye will be awarded Ksh1 million in default damages if Orwoba fails to issue a public apology within 30 days, on her social platforms and in a national newspaper.

Meanwhile, the court issued an injunction barring Orwoba or her associates from publishing any further defamatory statements against the Clerk. 

Orwoba accused Nyegenye of making sexual advances toward her and retaliating when she refused.

In a video posted on Facebook, she stated, “Clerk of the Senate Jeremiah Nyegenye solicited for sexual favours from me… and once I refused… the retaliation began.”

However, the court found that she failed to substantiate the allegations.

“It was incumbent upon her to go the extra mile to justify her statements. She did not,” the magistrate said. 

The judge noted that Orwoba’s posts were meant to damage Nyegenye’s career and reputation, and not to seek justice.

On the other hand, Nyegenye, who was represented by lawyer Peter Wanyama, testified that the allegations caused deep harm to his family.