A renowned international media house has been sued by Kenya’s Senate Minority Leader Moses Wetang’ula for defamation after it named him in a bribery scandal involving the British American Tobacco Company.
Mr Wetang’ula, through his lawyer James Orengo, faulted the British Broadcasting Corporation’s (BBC) World News Service programme Panorama, for portraying him to have solicited the purchase of an airline ticket to London for his wife, bribed public officials, MPs and people working in a rival company.
The Senator claimed the news story titled; The Secret bribes of big tobacco, largely portrayed him to be corruptly involved with BAT.
He also claimed the story, which was televised and published on November 30, had continued to be in circulation through a multitude of electronic and print media, including social media.
Mr Wetang’ula further alleged that he was called by several people about the said story and that he had watched it himself to the end and was therefore able to access the full content from several sites where the information had been posted.
“I have never smoked a cigarette in my life, I therefore felt hurt and offended that I should be characterised as part of a worldwide corporate conspiracy to undermine, compromise and destroy an international campaign to control marketing of smoking,” Mr Wetang’ula said.
He added that BBC’s programme had destroyed his 18 years reputation as an MP, a Cabinet minister for Foreign Affairs and also Trade.
He also says it destroyed his reputation considering that he has attended high level meetings at the United Nations, African Union and other various global as well as regional bodies.
Mr Wetang’ula further said he had been tipped off that Aljazeera intended to run another story on the same issue and would include his name.
“In the circumstances, my reputation has been seriously damaged and I have suffered loss, considerable distress and embarrassment,” he said.
The Senator has publicly denied any involvement with the allegations raised ever since the story ran.
He wants the case certified urgent and heard during the current court vacation.
He also wants an order issued stopping further publication of the said story since BBC has refused to grant him an apology.
