CS Amina Mohamed Issues 2 Demands to Nation Media

Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed through her lawyer Donald Kipkorir on Monday issued two demands to Nation Media Group following the publication of a story she deemed defamatory.

In the demand letter seen by Kenyans.co.ke, CS Mohamed faulted the media house that published articles in the Business Daily and Daily Nation linking her to questionable tenders given by the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC).

"That on page 1 and 6 of your publication "Business Daily" of 04.12.17 and of your publication "Daily Nation" of even date on page 30, you have ran similar story with banner headline "KICC gave Sh1.4 Billion tenders to fake firms" and "KICC Chief Executive on the spot over Sh1.4 Billion tenders" respectively.

"That in both stories, the name of the alleged CEO is not mentioned, but our client's picture is published with the words "Queries" That the use of our client's photograph in the story was in their natural and ordinary meaning, meant and was understood to mean that our client was the CEO mentioned," the letter read in part.

[caption caption="File image of Nation Centre Building"][/caption]

The letter addressed to NMG CEO Joe Muganda, Editor-in-Chief Tom Mshindi, Executive Editor Mutuma Mathiu, and writer Edwin Mutai stated that the publications were actuated by extreme malevolence towards the Cabinet.

"In the foregoing, our instructions are to demand, which we hereby do, your immediate removal of our client's picture in respect of the material story and your unquantified and prominent apology in your two publications of tomorrow, same to be given equal prominence to the impugned articles, in print and online.

"Note that if the above are not completed with by tomorrow, we will proceed to file suit seeking punitive, exemplary and compensatory damages, and costs," the letter further read.

The lawyer explained that the publication had injured the CS's reputation and caused injury to her credentials as a public servant.

According to the lawyer, the publication implied that CS Amina was corrupt, didn't understand the role of cabinet secretary, was guilty of unjust enrichment and fraudulent transactions, involved in the alleged fraudulent and fake tenders.

Furthermore, it suggests that she violated the applicable laws and more specifically, The Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Act, 2015.

[caption caption="Demand Letter by Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed "][/caption]