Fred Obachi Machoka on Wednesday told the High Court that remarks allegedly published by Robert Alai on Facebook falsely portrayed him as HIV positive and caused serious damage to his reputation, personal life and business interests. Citizen Digital reports
Testifying before the court in a defamation suit, Machoka adopted his witness statement and court pleadings as his evidence and recounted his long career in public service and broadcasting.
Machoka told the court that he joined the police service in 1972 and served for four years before moving into broadcasting at the then Voice of Kenya (VOK), now Kenya Broadcasting Corporation. He later joined, where he currently works on Radio Citizen and Citizen TV.
The veteran broadcaster said he has received numerous awards during his career, including a Media Council Lifetime Achievement Award, the Head of State Commendation and the Order of the Grand Warrior (OGW).
Explaining why he sued Alai, Machoka told the court that a Facebook post allegedly authored by the MCA suggested that he was HIV positive and taking antiretroviral drugs (ARVs), which were allegedly affecting his judgment.
“I felt defamed when he went on his Facebook account alleging that I am HIV positive and taking ARVs which are making me irrational in thinking,” Machoka testified.
He said the publication had injured his reputation as a respected media personality who has spent nearly 50 years in broadcasting and regularly serves as a master of ceremonies at major national and international events.
Machoka further told the court that his name is associated with several business ventures, including a hospitality establishment known as Fred’s Ranch, and that the allegations threatened the value of his personal brand.
He estimated the value of his brand at between Ksh.150 million and Ksh.200 million.
During cross-examination, Machoka was questioned about Alai’s defence that he does not own the Facebook account from which the alleged defamatory statements were published.
Machoka maintained that the account is widely known to belong to Alai and said his legal team had obtained documents previously presented in court proceedings which, according to him, link the account to the MCA.
He acknowledged that he did not write directly to Facebook seeking confirmation of the account’s ownership but said he relied on documentary evidence that he believes is authentic.
