MP Didmus Barasa faces auction over Sh8m defamation payout row

Ambassador Patrick Wamoto’s pursuit of compensation in a defamation case has entered a new phase after a Nairobi court authorised the seizure and sale of Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa’s movable property to recover more than Sh8 million, stemming from a judgment delivered in July 2025.

The dispute dates back to 2020, when Amb. Wamoto filed a suit against Barasa over remarks allegedly broadcast on a radio station.

In a judgment delivered on July 23, 2025, Senior Principal Magistrate S.K. Onjoro ruled in favour of Wamoto, ordering Barasa to issue a “written and unequivocal apology addressed to Amb. Wamoto.”

The magistrate further directed that the apology be “published and broadcast through the radio station at the same prime time as the original statements.”

The court awarded the plaintiff Sh6 million in general damages and Sh1.5 million in exemplary damages.

It also directed Barasa to bear the costs of the suit, certified at Sh377,600. Including interest from the date of judgment, the total amount owed stood at Sh8,084,042.53 as of October 8, 2025.

However, the court also held that Amb. Wamoto was required to pay Barasa Sh377,600 as party-to-party costs.

This figure, recorded in the court’s certificate of costs, covered specific items including party costs (Sh257,500), attendances (Sh24,600), filing fees (Sh71,000), drawing and services (Sh24,000), and court fees on issuing the decree (Sh500).

Barasa’s failure to settle the decretal sum prompted further action. On October 23, 2025, the Chief Magistrate issued a warrant of attachment authorising Fisra Auctioneers “to attach the movable property… unless the judgment debtor shall pay… the sum of Sh8,084,042.53 together with costs of attachment.”

On the same day, the court issued a warrant of sale directing the auctioneers to dispose of the attached property by public auction, following 15 days’ notice. Both warrants must be returned to the court by December 23, 2025, with a report on execution.

The development marks a significant escalation in a case that began as a contest over reputation and has now entered the realm of debt recovery.

Barasa has not publicly indicated whether he will challenge the warrants or settle the decree.