Veteran Kenyan media personality Fred Machoka has expressed willingness to resolve his ongoing defamation case against Kileleshwa MCA Robert Alai through an amicable settlement. Appearing before the court through his lawyer, Danstan Omari, Machoka said he is ready for constructive engagement once the matter of identity is clarified.
During the hearing, the presiding judge inquired whether both parties had made efforts to settle the case out of court. Omari told the court that the situation had been complicated by Alai’s denial of ownership of the social media account that allegedly published the defamatory posts.
“You cannot enter into a discussion with someone who says it’s not him, it appears to be a case of mistaken identity,” Omari said.
What’s Behind the Defamation Dispute?
Machoka, known for his long-standing career in broadcasting, claims that his professional reputation was unfairly damaged by defamatory statements posted on a Facebook account bearing the name Robert Alai. He maintains that the posts misrepresented his character and caused harm to his image as a respected media figure.
However, Alai, in his court filings, has distanced himself from the claims, arguing that he is not the individual responsible for the Facebook account in question. He insists that his full name, Robert Alai Onyango, does not match the name listed in the e-filed case and has denied operating any Facebook account.
Could Dialogue Resolve the Matter?
Despite the confusion, Machoka continues to signal openness to dialogue, emphasizing his preference for a peaceful and constructive outcome. Alai, on the other hand, has urged the court to dismiss the case, describing it as baseless and rooted in mistaken identity.
The court will determine the next steps once the issue of identity is fully clarified. For now, both parties appear to share at least one common interest, seeking a resolution that restores clarity and protects reputations.
By Risper Akinyi