Embakasi MP James Gakuya sues Ichung’wah over defamatory remarks, demands apology

Embakasi North Member of Parliament James Mwangi Gakuya has threatened legal action against National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung'wah over what he terms defamatory remarks linking him to criminal activities.

In a demand letter dated April 28, 2026, Gakuya accused Ichung’wah of making false and malicious statements during an appearance on The Obinna Show on April 23, 2026.

According to the letter, Ichung’wah allegedly claimed that Gakuya was involved in organising violence and criminal activities, including the invasion of Northlands Farm in 2024.

“So, akaita wale wabunge. Two of them are from Embakasi. And I have said nikidanganyana na nimewaambia, na nikasema, nikidanganyana wanipeleke kortini. Mejja Donk na Gakuya. Tumekaa hapo, akaniambia sasa, iko kazi, nataka hawa waheshimiwa wapange,” part of the quoted remarks read.

“Ooh nimeambia polisi wasikuwe na polisi karibu pale. Hawa wataleta vijana waingie wakatekate miti, waende wachinje hizo mbuzi na wabomoe hizo manyumba za mbuzi."

They said the remarks portrayed their client as “a criminal actor and sponsor of organised violence,” and painted him as “morally bankrupt, corrupt and unfit to hold public office.”

“The grave accusation that our client was involved in, facilitated, financed and/or orchestrated acts of violence, theft and criminal infiltration at Northlands Farm in the year 2024, and further that he mobilised criminal elements to infiltrate public demonstrations is not only untruthful but flies in the face of common sense,” the letter states.

They also accused Ichung’wah of issuing contradictory statements in separate media appearances.

“To demonstrate the mischief, your conduct is aggravated by your issuance of contradictory, inconsistent and mutually destructive statements in separate media appearances, wherein you attributed responsibility for the same events to different individuals,” the letter reads.

Gakuya is now demanding an unconditional public apology, a full retraction of the remarks and immediate removal of the alleged defamatory content from all platforms, including YouTube and social media.

The MP also wants Ichung’wah to cease making any further statements about him.

The lawyers gave Ichung’wah two hours to comply with the demands, failure to which they said they had instructions to institute legal proceedings without further notice.

“Take notice that the above demands must be complied with in full within two hours from the time of receipt hereof, time being of the essence,” he stated.

“That in the event of your failure, refusal and/or neglect to comply strictly with the foregoing demands within the stipulated period, we have strict and peremptory instructions, without any further reference to you, to institute legal proceedings against you at your sole risk as to the legal and financial consequences thereof without any reference to you.”