Nairobi, Kenya – The High Court of Kenya issued a comprehensive set of updated guidelines on Monday for the handling of defamation and privacy lawsuits within the country's judicial system. These new directives place a strong emphasis on upholding fair trial rights for all parties involved and ensuring the timely resolution of such cases, which can often be protracted.

Balancing Freedom of Expression and Reputation

A key aspect of the new guidelines encourages judges to carefully consider the principles of public interest and the constitutional right to freedom of expression when adjudicating defamation and privacy claims. The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) stated that these guidelines are meticulously designed to strike a more effective balance between protecting media freedom and safeguarding individual reputations from unwarranted harm. Legal experts anticipate that these reforms will help streamline the process for defamation cases, which, in some instances, have reportedly been used as a means to intimidate journalists and stifle critical reporting. The guidelines aim to create a more predictable and fair legal framework for these sensitive legal matters.