A Siaya-based blogger, Michael Oduor, popularly known as Mike Ochieng, has been ordered to pay a total of Ksh.3.3 million in damages for defamation against Siaya County Public Service Board CEO Wilfred Nyagudi.
The verdict was issued on Tuesday by Resident Magistrate Jacob Mkala at the Siaya Law Courts, following a suit that accused the blogger of waging an online campaign filled with unverified and damaging allegations. According to court records, Oduor accused Mr. Nyagudi and the County Public Service Board of nepotism, irregular employment practices, and corruption — claims he circulated through Facebook and WhatsApp posts, including memes and graphic imagery.
The court found that the blogger failed to present credible evidence to back his accusations and concluded that the defamatory posts were malicious and fueled by personal frustration. It emerged that Oduor had applied for employment within the county but was unsuccessful — a rejection that allegedly triggered the defamatory campaign.
In his ruling, Magistrate Mkala awarded Ksh.3 million in general damages and an additional Ksh.300,000 in exemplary damages, emphasizing that the publications had harmed Mr. Nyagudi’s professional and personal reputation. The blogger was also ordered to pull down all offensive content immediately and issue a public apology via the same platforms where the defamatory content was shared.
The defense had argued that the exposé was made in the public interest. However, the court dismissed this claim, stating that the assertions were unsubstantiated and legally unprotected.
This ruling marks the second major defamation loss for Oduor. In March 2025, the High Court found him liable for defaming North Uyoma Ward MCA Booker Bonyo, slapping him with a Ksh.20 million penalty — a ruling that is currently under appeal.
With mounting legal troubles and heavy financial penalties, Oduor’s controversial blogging career now faces an uncertain future.
