Former Standard Media Group Journalist Vincent Mabatuk has been ordered to pay his former boss Ksh8 million for defamation.
According to court documents Kenyans.co.ke, Standard Group's Nakuru Bureau Chief Alex Kiprotich had accused Mabatuk of defamation during the 2017 election campaigns.
A journalist familiar with the matter told our newsdesk the two fell out following Mabatuk's series of Facebook posts that were considered defamatory to his boss as the two parties campaigned for different parties in the then elections.
"The alleged defamation happened during the 2017 campaigns when, Mabatuk was supporting current Baringo Governor Stanley Kiptis and then Senatorial aspirant Chelugui (the current CS Labour).
"Alex was on the opposing side. The defamation arose due to political differences," stated the journalist
After leaving his reporting job at The Standard, Mabatuk ran for the Mogotio Ward seat but lost.
In the suit, Kiprotich was seeking the defendant to issue an apology and be compelled to pay him damages for defamation and causing psychological and emotional distress.
The bureau chief was awarded Ksh6 million in general damages and Ksh2 million in aggravated damages.
"On the quantum of damages payable, the court has considered the submissions by counsel and the authorities relied on. The court has also considered the comparative case law," read the statement in part.
Kiprotich's lawyer confirmed to Kenyans.co.ke that his client was going to pursue the payout from Mabatuk.
"He is going to push forte recovery of the same from Mabatuk. The accused made a post on Facebook with a photo suggesting that Alex was having sex in the office in the evening when people had gone home," stated the lawyer.
A spot check on Mabatuk's Facebook page showed that the last post was made in 2017.
