Kimilili Member of Parliament Didmus Barasa is set to have his movable assets seized by auctioneers after failing to pay a Sh8 million (approx. $61,500) judgment in a defamation case filed by former Permanent Secretary and Ambassador, Patrick Wamoto.

The order, issued by a Milimani court, commands Fisra Auctioneers to attach the legislator's property to recover the debt, which now stands at Sh8,084,042 including costs and interest. This move escalates a years-long legal battle, forcing a public reckoning over words spoken on air and raising questions about the accountability of public officials.

A Reckoning for Reckless Words

The case stems from remarks Mr. Barasa made on a vernacular radio station nearly six years ago. He claimed that Mr. Wamoto, a distinguished public servant, had secured his appointment as a commissioner for the Public Service Commission (PSC) through manipulative means rather than merit.

In a judgment delivered on July 23, 2025, Principal Magistrate S.K. Onjoro found the statements to be false and damaging to Mr. Wamoto's reputation. The court noted that Mr. Barasa's claims implied the former ambassador was unqualified for the prestigious role. During cross-examination, the MP admitted his statements were based on hearsay from another legislator and that he was unaware of any scandals involving Mr. Wamoto.

The court awarded Mr. Wamoto a significant sum to compensate for the injury to his character:

• General Damages: Sh6 million
• Exemplary Damages: Sh1.5 million
• Costs of the Suit: Sh377,600

Magistrate Onjoro emphasized that Mr. Barasa's "recklessness in making unsubstantiated claims and his refusal to apologise" aggravated the damages. The court also mandated that the MP issue a written, unequivocal apology to be broadcast on the same radio station.

A Pattern of Controversy

This is not the first time the controversial lawmaker has faced legal and financial entanglements. His public career has been punctuated by a series of disputes that cast a shadow over his legislative duties.

Just months ago, in June 2025, auctioneers seized a helicopter and six vehicles belonging to the MP over a separate Sh4.4 million debt owed to a law firm that represented him in a 2022 election petition. He has also been summoned by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) over bribery allegations and previously faced fraud charges in 2020. While he was acquitted of a high-profile murder charge in 2023, the recurring legal battles paint a picture of a public servant constantly at odds with the law.

With the warrant of attachment now active, the auctioneers are commanded to execute the order and report back to the court by December 23, 2025. For the residents of Kimilili, this latest episode is another distraction, raising concerns about whether their representative's focus is on serving them or managing his own cascading legal crises. The question remains whether the auctioneer's hammer will finally bring a measure of accountability.