Khalwale to sue Kakamega businessman for defamation over remarks on worker's death

Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale is set to sue a businessman for allegedly defaming him following the death of his worker last month.

Khalwale accuses Cleophas Shimanyula aka Toto of going public on social media with “scandalous, defamatory, false, baseless and unfounded claims” disputing the police findings relating to the death of his worker Kizito Amukune Moi.

Addressing the media at the Malinya Police Station after recording a statement on Tuesday, Khalwale accused the Kakamega County government contractor of profiling him as a “murderer” and portraying his wives as “prostitutes” in a video that went viral.

He said the video cast aspersions on Moi's death intimating that it was not as a result of injuries sustained from the bull attack, but that he was instead stabbed by the lawmaker.

Khalwale also distanced himself from claims that he influenced the police in making their report on investigations into Moi’s death, adding that he will pursue all possible means including legal action to discredit false reports that have caused grievous, personal and corporate injury.

The 47-year-old Moi was gored and killed by Khalwale's decorated fighter bull renowned across Western Kenya as 'Inasio' at his residence in Shikhuyu village, Kakamega County.

Speaking after the incident, the Senator said the deceased staff had been the caretaker of all his fighter bulls over the last 20 years and said that the body was found in the cowshed by another employee while he went around doing his duties.

Following the death of the caretaker, the popular Kakamega businessman refuted the Senator's version of events prompting the lawmaker to postpone the burial of Moi to allow a probe into the incident.

In keeping with Luhya traditions, Khalwale then speared and slaughtered the killer bull.

Last week, Government Pathologist Dr Johansen Oduor conducted a second autopsy which allayed fears surrounding Moi’s death and confirmed Khalwale’s version of events.

The late farmhand was then laid to rest on Monday.