By Reporter
Siaya Court has issued restraining orders to Gem MP Elisha Ochieng Odhiambo from publishing, uttering or disseminating defamatory words against Leonard Otieno Okanda, who is solicitor at the County Government of Siaya.
The Magistrate Jacob Mkala Punga gave the temporary injunction and certified the application as urgent and said further directions will be issued on July 30th 2025.
“ Temporary order of injunction be and is hereby issued , restraining the defendant/ respondent , whether by himself ,his agents , servants, or otherwise from further publishing , uttering or disseminating the defamatory words or similar words concerning the plaintiff that the defendant/plaintiff had published on 27th July 2024 and 12th July 2025 and threats made on 6th July 2025 pending the hearing and determination of the application.
Okanda had earlier has threatened to sue the Gem MP over alleged defamation and wants him to publicly apologize to him.
Leonard Okanda through his Advocate, Rakewa Otieno and Co. advocates, he wrote “demand for retraction, apology and admission of liability for defamatory statements.”
He alleges that on separates dates of July 27th, 2024, and July 12th 2025, Odhiambo at a funeral and memorial service in Nyachwinya village in Alego Usonga constituency uttered scandalous and inherently defamatory statements, suggesting criminality, dishonesty, corruption and professional misconduct on Okanda.
Otieno wrote “The natural and ordinary meaning as well as the client’s innuendo, conveyed by your words is that our client:
Knowingly and unlawfully withheld a sum of Sh 232M owed to the late Evans Oruenjo, that he demanded a bribe before releasing Sh 102M to the late Evans Oruenjo.
That he intended to benefit personally from money due to a deceased person, misappropriated or diverted funds meant for the support of children of the late, implying theft, deceit and dereliction of duty.
That he is corrupt, dishonest and unfit to hold public office.”
Otieno said his client Odhiambo knew that his client does not owe the late Evans Oruenjo any money, personally or professionally and that he had no contractual, legal or fiduciary obligation to the deceased or to hie estate.
He said his client is a civil servant employed by the County Government of Siaya and that county government of Siaya is a distinct legal entity, separate and independent from Okanda as an individual.
“Any liabilities or dealings relating to county finances, if any related, would rest solely with county government of Siaya and nor our client in a personal or professional capacity,” he wrote.
Otieno said should the Mp fail to apologize within the prescribed time frame, he will institute appropriate legal proceedings against him.
When we contacted Odhiambo, he neither picked our calls nor responded to our text messages.
