The High Court has drawn a red line in the sand regarding social media recklessness, issuing a stern gag order against a man accused of running a digital smear campaign against a prominent Nairobi preacher.

Justice Nixon Sifuna ruled that freedom of expression does not grant a license to destroy reputations. The court barred Luke Chianga Chianga from publishing any further defamatory posts against Pastor Richard Stanley Takim, whom he had vividly accused of "cultism" and other dark vices across Instagram, Facebook, and Telegram.

"Malice on Multi-Platforms"

The judge was particularly incensed by the coordinated nature of the attacks. "The content was published simultaneously across multiple platforms as if to ensure it reaches the widest base of society," Justice Sifuna observed. He noted that the allegations were designed to lower the pastor's standing in the eyes of "right-thinking members of society."

The ruling sets a significant precedent for online conduct in Kenya:

• The burden of Proof: The defendant, Chianga, failed to file a defense or provide a shred of evidence to back his sensational claims of cultism.
• Reputation is Property: The court affirmed that a person's reputation is a protected asset, and damaging it with unverified rumors attracts legal consequences.
• The Injunction: While the court did not order the immediate deletion of past posts (pending full trial), it strictly forbade any new publications or "re-publications" of the libelous material.

A Warning to Bloggers

This case serves as a warning shot to Kenya's vibrant but often unruly "tea master" culture. For Pastor Takim, the order offers a temporary shield; for the rest of the internet, it is a reminder that the "delete" button is cheaper than a defamation lawsuit.