Lawyer Danstan Omari demands Ksh.15M compensation from journalist over alleged defamation

The demand follows Omari's representation of a Linda Mwananchi Movement member who moved to court seeking to stop Edwin Sifuna's political outfit from holding its National Delegates Conference.

Through his lawyers, Timothy Kilonzo of Danstan Omari and Associates Advocates, Omari issued a demand letter dated November 12, 2026, accusing Agade of publishing malicious and defamatory content on his official Facebook account.

The publication allegedly showed Omari seated on the streets, dressed in torn clothes and carrying a bag bearing the words "KILLER OF DESTINY."

In the demand letter, Omari's lawyers argue that the image and accompanying message were deliberately designed to ridicule, shame and damage his professional reputation among clients, colleagues, members of the judiciary and the general public.

They contend that the phrase "killer of destiny" portrayed him as an advocate who destroys the lives, hopes, prosperity and future of people who seek his legal services.

The lawyers further argue that the publication suggested Omari was professionally dangerous, untrustworthy and unworthy of public confidence.

They also took issue with his portrayal in ragged clothes, arguing that the imagery was intended to present him as a beggar and a person whose association brought disgrace, poverty and failure.

"Further, the depiction of my client in tattered clothes seated on the streets was meant to portray him as a beggar, a man of no worth, a ruined or ruinous person, and one whose association brings disgrace, poverty or failure," the lawyers stated.

"The imagery was calculated to amplify ridicule, attract public mockery, and brand him in the public imagination as socially and professionally diminished," the demand letter reads.

Omari's legal team maintained that the publication went beyond harmless satire, describing it as a deliberate attempt to sabotage his reputation and undermine public confidence in his legal practice.

They argued that his professional standing and livelihood depended heavily on public trust, integrity and esteem, making the alleged portrayal particularly damaging.

The lawyers further accused Agade of violating Omari's constitutional right to dignity under Article 28 of the Constitution, as well as Article 33(3), which requires everyone exercising freedom of expression to respect the rights and reputation of others.

In their demands, the lawyers want Agade to immediately remove the offending publication and all related posts, images, captions, comments, edits and shares under his control across his social media platforms.

They have also demanded a full, unconditional and unequivocal public apology and retraction on the same Facebook account, with prominence equal to that of the original post.

In the demand letter, Kilonzo has given Agade 24 hours from receipt of the notice to comply with the demands and pay KSh15 million as compensation for alleged defamation, reputational injury, brand damage and emotional distress.

"My instructions are to demand from you, which I hereby do demand, that you immediately remove and permanently pull down the offending publication together with all related posts, images, captions, comments, edits, shares or reproductions under your control," Kilonzo stated.

He further demanded that Agade issue a retraction expressly acknowledging that the publication concerning Omari was false, malicious, misleading and defamatory.

The lawyers warned that failure to comply within the stipulated 24 hours would prompt them to institute legal proceedings against the journalist without further reference.

"That within the said twenty-four (24) hours of receipt hereof, you in addition issue a full, unconditional and unequivocal retraction of the publication on the same Facebook account or platform, with no lesser prominence than the offending post, expressly acknowledging that the publication concerning Danstan Omari was false, malicious, misleading and defamatory as well as pay to my client the sum of 15,000,000 million shillings being damages for defamation, injury to reputation, brand damage, emotional distress and the malicious attack on his professional standing," the demand added.