RASHID ECHESA SUES SETH PANYAKO AND OBINNA TV

In the suit, Echesa is seeking injunctive relief to restrain what he describes as defamatory statements made against him.

According to the application, the statements—published and broadcast by the defendants—were presented as statements of fact rather than mere opinion and were deliberately intended to depict him as a murderer, arsonist, violent criminal, and a threat to public safety.

Echesa argues that these allegations are defamatory because they impute the commission of serious criminal offences and have exposed him to public hatred, ridicule, contempt, and odium.

The former Cabinet Secretary has categorically denied all the accusations, describing them as false, malicious, reckless, and completely lacking any factual or legal foundation. He insists he has never led, commanded, or participated in any violent group or criminal enterprise, nor has he ever been involved in arson, homicide, or any other unlawful conduct as alleged. He further points out that no criminal charges have ever been brought against him in connection with these claims.

Echesa also accuses the second and third defendants—Obinna TV and associated media entities—of exercising full editorial and operational control over the broadcast while failing to:

-verify the truth of the allegations,

-seek his side of the story, or

-remove the content even after receiving a formal demand letter.

He contends that this negligence and inaction makes them jointly and severally liable for the defamation.He claims the publications have subjected him to severe public ridicule, hostility, and emotional distress, including receiving alarming calls and messages from colleagues, family, friends, and members of the public.

Echesa further states that his reputation—as a former Cabinet Secretary and current chairman of a national statutory body—has suffered serious and irreparable harm, eroding public trust in his leadership and significantly impairing his ability to effectively perform his official duties.

Through his lawyers, Kimani & Company Advocates, Echesa says he served a formal demand letter on December 5, 2025, calling for a full retraction and an unqualified apology. He alleges that the defendants either ignored the demand or refused to comply, which he puts forward as evidence of malice and reckless disregard for the truth.Among the reliefs sought are:

-A court declaration that the statements are defamatory;

-A permanent injunction restraining any further publication or republication of the statements;

-An order compelling the defendants to publish an unqualified retraction and unconditional public apology on a full page of a widely circulated daily newspaper;

-An award of general damages, aggravated damages, costs, and interest.

In the meantime, the court has issued interim directions requiring the application to be served on the respondents and has fixed the matter for an inter-partes hearing on January 22, 2026.