Former Nairobi Governor Mike Mbuvi Sonko has defended his remarks in a defamation suit filed by advocate Lucy Momanyi, telling the Milimani High Court that he spoke what he believed to be the truth.
While under cross-examination on Monday, Sonko admitted making the controversial statements, including referring to Momanyi as a thief during a televised interview. He, however, maintained that the remarks were made in good faith and based on information he believed to be accurate at the time.
“I spoke freely on the morning show. What I said were things I believed to be true,” he told the court, referring to his appearance on Morning Express in 2014.
Sonko further told the court that he had evidence to support his claims and had presented documents during the broadcast to back his assertions.
“I called Lucy a thief and I have evidence she is one,” he said.
The case arises from the 2014 television appearance, which Momanyi argues was defamatory and injured her professional reputation as an advocate. She accuses Sonko of making false and damaging allegations against her before a national audience.
In his defence, Sonko linked his remarks to a March 31, 2014 media report that allegedly portrayed him negatively, including claims that he was a thief and questions surrounding his acquittal in a fraud case in Mombasa.
“I was invited to respond to the article to give my side of the story,” he said.
The former governor told the court that his televised comments were a response to those allegations and part of a wider dispute involving the estate of the late James Simon Bellhouse, where Momanyi had acted as a co-administrator.
He claimed that disagreements arose over the administration of the estate, particularly regarding properties he alleged were not disclosed in the will.
“I was not an executor of the deceased. The contents of the will became doubtful, and I sought clarification from the plaintiff, who ignored my requests,” he said.
Sonko further stated that the widow of the deceased had lodged complaints with the Law Society of Kenya and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, some of which were later reported in the media.
He added that the widow had also reported alleged threats against her, prompting him to advise her to report the matter to the police.
However, under questioning, Sonko admitted that he did not record any statement with the police regarding the matter. He also told the court that he was not aware whether Momanyi had ever been charged with theft.
The court further heard that Momanyi was absent during the proceedings as she was reportedly unwell and in Mombasa.
The case now turns on whether Sonko’s remarks constituted fair comment made in the public interest or whether they amounted to defamation.
