Two prominent Kenyan lawyers, Cliff Ombeta and Senior Advocate Danstan Omari, have withdrawn their threatened defamation action against media personality and podcast host Oga Obinna following remarks made on his show that they considered harmful to their reputations.
The dispute began after Obinna hosted a law student, Adrian Oluoch Biko, on his Obinna TV podcast, during which the guest made comments alleging corruption and unethical conduct within the legal fraternity — specifically insinuating that senior lawyers were involved in bribery and improper dealings. Ombeta and Omari described the remarks as reckless and defamatory, prompting them to prepare legal action against both Obinna and the student.
Ombeta, a criminal lawyer, told reporters the matter had been taken seriously and reached an advanced stage, with plans underway for legal proceedings, including involvement from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI). He said the case was set to “take shape this weekend,” indicating that Obinna and the student were to be summoned.
However, Ombeta later confirmed that the lawyers had decided to withdraw the defamation action. He said that although they initially believed the podcast comments crossed a legal line, further reflection and engagement led both him and Omari to discontinue the suit. Ombeta emphasized the seriousness with which they treated the potential case but did not publicly disclose all factors that influenced the decision to pull back. (Note: official statements from the lawyers’ offices are still pending.)
Ombeta also addressed comments by Obinna’s defence that a disclaimer on the show protected the host from legal liability. The lawyer dismissed this argument, noting that disclaimers issued after harmful comments have been broadcast do not necessarily negate the damage already caused to reputations. He suggested that clearer pre-discussion protocols between hosts and guests could reduce future legal risks.
Meanwhile, the law student who made the controversial statements issued a public apology. Initially hesitant, he said he did not intend to harm the reputations of Ombeta and Omari, and decided to apologise to preserve Obinna’s media career and to help defuse the situation. The apology came amid pressure from legal threats and heightened public attentio.
The flashpoint followed a legal demand letter from Omari, which had given Obinna 12 hours to retract the podcast and apologise, or face imminent legal action. Omari’s lawyers, Shadrack Wambui & Associates, argued that the broadcast contained “unfounded, defamatory, and injurious statements” that had been shared extensively across platforms including YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram and X.
This episode underscores the growing scrutiny around defamation risks in Kenyan digital media spaces — especially on podcasts and YouTube shows where hosts and guests often discuss current affairs and public figures. Content creators like Obinna, who have previously been involved in other legal and public disputes, are increasingly urged to exercise caution and implement stronger editorial safeguards.