Steve Ogolla, the co-founder and managing partner of Saroni and Stephens Advocates was looking for cheap publicity in approaching IEBC Chairman Wafula Chebukati to sue Raila Odinga.
In a badly written demand letter, Ogolla, on behalf of Chebukati asks Raila to funish them with video evidence of the purported meeting that took place in his (Raila’s) house.
“In the circumstances of your allegations, and in the context our Client’s strong rebuttal thereto, OUR INSTRUCTIONS are to DEMAND from you, as of right, which we hereby do, to be furnished with the alleged video footage within seven days from the date hereof. KINDLY TAKE NOTICE that if we do not receive the video footage demanded hereinabove within the Demand Period, we shall be constrained to institute appropriate adverse but lawful proceedings against you,” the demand letter said in part.
The suit against the Azimio La Umoja leader Raila Odinga was brought about following his remarks at Jacaranda Grounds rally held on Sunday 29th January 2022.
In videos circulating online, the ODM leader is shown claiming that IEBC officials visited his residence to ask for bribes but he refused leading them to announce his opponents William Ruto and Rigathi Gachagua as winners.
“Bwana Chebukati anasema kuna watu ambao walikuwa wanataka kumhonga. Hata wale wenzake Bwana Guliye na Bwana Molu. Nataka niwaulize mlikuja kwangu kufanya nini? Waliniomba nini? Niko na picha yao wakicheza nitatoa,” Raila said. (Translation: “Chebukati stated that some people wanted to bribe him. Ask them what they came to ask me when they visited my house. Inform them that I have photos and I can expose them”)
Steve Ogolla asks for a video footage, and not a picture, in the demand letter.
The former Kisumu street hawker turned lawyer continues to use the word, ‘footage’ two more times in the demand letter.
Kenyans on Twitter were not kind to him.
Fellow lawyers and wannabe law analysts tore down his demand letter with more damaging words.
Here are some takes:
That is not the proper way of doing a Demand letter on defamation
— Harry Stephen Arunda (@ArundaLaw) January 31, 2023
"loosely translated"? In an intended defamation suit?
I hope it ends in court so that they litigate, among other things, Mr. Chebukati's reputation among right thinking members of the society. Fingers crossed it goes to a good judge too. https://t.co/Kk0POrh4O3— Winnie. (@PART_RIOT) January 31, 2023
The statement by Hon Raila was so vague,it does not mean anything before a court of law. Also, Bwana @steveogollaw was this demand letter written by your spouse? This is not structured logically.
— Kenyan_Critic (@Kenyan_Critic) January 31, 2023
The demand letter threatening Raila Odinga with defamation was structured logically.
Akothee’s brother-in-law is fond of publicity stunts.
