Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Kenyans.co.ke
Published on 2024-02-20 09:59:53
Kakamega Senator Boniface Khalwale has taken legal action against a businessman who made allegations regarding the death of the Senator’s farmhand. The lawsuit was filed at the Milimani Law Courts on February 19, 2024, by Khalwale’s lawyer, Danstan Omari. The Senator had previously expressed his intention to seek legal redress after the businessman suggested that Khalwale’s account of events leading to the farmhand’s death was inaccurate.
The controversy began when Khalwale shared a video of himself spearing his fighter bull to death at the end of January. He explained that the bull had killed its caretaker, who also worked as Khalwale’s farmhand. The video went viral and led to inaccurate speculation about the circumstances surrounding the farmhand’s death. Hurt by the unfounded speculation, Khalwale invited detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to investigate the matter.
A government pathologist, Johansen Oduor, conducted an autopsy on February 3, which confirmed that the farmhand was indeed killed by the bull. Oduor stated, “We can conclude that indeed the initial autopsy was correct and it was caused by an animal rather than what was alleged that it was a knife or something like that.” Despite this confirmation, the businessman did not retract his statement or issue an apology, prompting Khalwale to take legal action.
Khalwale is seeking Ksh 200 million in damages as a result of the businessman’s defamatory allegations. The Senator had previously disclosed that the 47-year-old farmhand’s body was found in the cowshed by another worker. He also revealed that the farmhand had been caring for his bulls for over 20 years and in accordance with Luhya traditions, the fighter bull was speared to death. The farmhand was laid to rest on February 5.
The lawsuit filed by Khalwale marks his commitment to clearing his name and seeking justice for the false accusations made against him. The legal proceedings will now determine the outcome of the defamation suit and whether the businessman will be held accountable for the damaging statements he made against the Senator. Regardless of the outcome, Khalwale’s decision to pursue legal action demonstrates his determination to protect his reputation and seek redress for the harm caused by the unfounded allegations.
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