Safaricom wanted to revive a case that began in 2015 where Kenya’s top blogger, Cyprian Nyakundi, was accused by the then CEO of Safaricom, Bob Collymore, of defamation.
Last week, the blogger reported that some lawyers who wanted cash from Safaricom had reignited and reinstated the case.
Nyakundi provided an update on the 2015 launch of the Cyprian Nyakundi vs. Safaricom case. “After intense fighting through my lawyer, Apollo Mboya, the case was dismissed last year after they failed to prove I defamed them.”
Now, some law firms called Ogetto, Otachi, and Company Advocates have come forward and want the case reinstated.
The blogger said, “I understand legal fees must be chased, but what do they want to achieve that they have failed to achieve in nine years?”
Nyakundi’s lawyer, Apollo Mboya, gave an update regarding the reinstatement, saying Safaricom has withdrawn the application to reinstate the “Cyprian Nyakundi vs. Safaricom” 2015 case. Lady Justice Meoli has also closed the file. For nine years, it has been a long fight.
“Just from court, my lawyer, Apollo Mboya, tells me Safaricom has withdrawn the application to reinstate the “Cyprian Nyakundi vs. Safaricom” 2015 case.”
“Lady Justice Meoli has also closed the file.”For nine years, it has been a long fight. I thank my lawyer, Apollo Mboya, for this.” Nyakundi posted on X.
In 2017, the blogger Cyprian Nyakundi had to either pay a Sh300,000 fine or spend four months in jail for contempt of court.
The court found Nyakundi in contempt for his repeated use of social media to defame Safaricom boss Bob Collymore.
Collymore and his predecessor, Michael Joseph, sued Nyakundi for defamation over articles in which he said the telecommunications giant was exploiting Kenyans.
High Court judge Lucy Mwihaki also said that the blogger defied an order to appear for mitigation and did not give a justifiable reason.
Nyakundi has previously expressed remorse and asked the court to be lenient. After three days in police cells, the blogger appeared in court under an arrest warrant.
On December 1, 2016, the court found Nyakundi guilty of disobeying court orders, prompting the move.
