Whistleblower Nelson Amenya has fired back at Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot, who had demanded a public apology over allegations linking the senator to a controversial deal involving the leasing of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) to Indian conglomerate Adani Group.
In a demand letter dated September 27, 2024, Cheruiyot’s lawyers accused Amenya of defaming their client during a televised interview on September 18, where Amenya alleged that Cheruiyot brokered the deal. The letter demanded a retraction and a public apology within 48 hours, threatening legal action should the whistleblower fail to comply.
However, Amenya has refused to back down. In a strongly-worded response, his legal team dismissed the defamation claims and categorically stated that no apology would be forthcoming.
“Please be advised that there is nothing defamatory that our client published against yours, and to that end, no apology will be forthcoming,” Amenya’s lawyers wrote. They also added a direct challenge, stating, “Should you desire to pursue some ill-advised action against our client, please note that we have strict instructions to defend our client against any such peradventure.”
Amenya’s legal team argued that their client’s remarks were aimed at prompting Cheruiyot to either confirm or deny whether he had traveled to India, asserting that such a challenge cannot be considered defamatory. “The questions posed to your client are legitimate, and we welcome the opportunity to address them in a full public trial,” the letter further stated.
Cheruiyot, who previously dismissed the allegations as baseless, had warned that he would seek legal redress, claiming Amenya’s statements exposed him to public embarrassment. The senator’s lawyers, in their demand letter, emphasized, “The purpose of this letter is to demand, as we hereby do, that you promptly issue a public apology to our client and retract the false statements made against him.”
Amenya’s refusal to retract or apologize has escalated the dispute, raising the prospect of a legal showdown. His legal team suggested that the senator’s reaction could be seen as a sign of discomfort, questioning, “Does this challenge prick a possible guilty conscience?”
As the situation unfolds, Amenya’s decision to stand firm not only intensifies the standoff but also keeps public attention firmly on the controversial JKIA-Adani deal. “We look forward to demanding answers in court,” Amenya’s lawyers concluded, hinting at a possible legal battle ahead.
