The Keroka Magistrate’s Court has issued a temporary gag order against activist Morara Kebaso, barring him from making any statements about Borabu Member of Parliament Patrick Osero on social media or any other platform. The orders come after the legislator filed a defamation suit against the outspoken activist, accusing him of making remarks that damaged his reputation.
Senior Resident Magistrate Ismael Stanley Imoleit, who delivered the ruling on Thursday, declined to certify Osero’s application as urgent but nonetheless granted interim injunctive relief. The court has now drawn a clear red line in the ongoing feud between the two, with the matter set for mention on July 29.
The orders are wide-ranging. Kebaso is prohibited from referring to Osero as a “former Member of Parliament” or suggesting that his tenure as Borabu MP has ended. He is also restrained from claiming or implying that he himself is the current, acting or de facto MP for Borabu Constituency. The court further stopped him from alleging that Osero has never set foot in or participated in proceedings of the National Assembly.
The activist, who has in recent weeks shown interest in running for the Borabu parliamentary seat in 2027, has been vocal in criticizing Osero’s leadership. His verified Facebook page has even been indicating that he is the Member of Parliament for Borabu. Tensions between the two reportedly escalated recently when Morara was allegedly roughed up and had a microphone snatched from him while addressing mourners at a funeral in Nyamira county.
The court also took aim at claims relating to the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF). Kebaso is barred from making what the court described as fictitious, false or misleading claims regarding NG-CDF allocations and spending in Borabu Constituency. He is specifically prohibited from alleging that all NG-CDF contractors in the constituency are owned by one individual in a manner that imputes corruption to the MP.
Beyond social media, the magistrate issued a gag order prohibiting Kebaso from making statements about Osero at public gatherings, church meetings, podcasts, media briefings, press conferences or any other forum where such remarks would be false or defamatory. The order also extends to third parties, barring Kebaso from directing others to publish or disseminate such statements on his behalf.
The court has warned that any disobedience of the orders could attract penal consequences. The interim orders will remain in force pending the hearing and determination of the application, with the court expected to give further directions when the matter comes up for mention on July 29.
