Wetang’ula sues BBC over BAT ‘bribery’ claim

Bungoma Senator Moses Wetang’ula on Tuesday sued a renowned international media house for defamation after it named him in a bribery scandal involving British American Tobacco Company.

Through lawyer James Orengo, Mr Wetang’ula faulted British Broadcasting Corporation’s (BBC) World News Service programme Panorama, for portraying him to have solicited the purchase of an airline ticket to London for his wife, bribed public officials, MPs and people working in a rival company.

The Senate Minority Leader claimed that the news story titled ‘The Secret bribes of big tobacco’ largely portrayed him to be corruptly involved with BAT.

He also claimed that the story which was televised and published on November 30, has continued to be in circulation through a multitude of electronic and print media including social media.

He alleged that he was called by several people about the said story and that he had watched it himself to the end therefore he was able to access the full content from several sites where the information had been posted.

“I have never smoked a cigarette in my life, I therefore fell hurt and offended that I should be characterised as part of a worldwide corporate conspiracy to undermine, compromise and destroy an international campaign to control marketing of smoking,” Mr Wetang’ula said.

He says BBC’s programme has allegedly destroyed his 18 years reputation as an MP, a cabinet minister for foreign affairs and also trade.

He also says it destroyed his reputation considering that he has attended high level meetings at the United Nations, African Union and other various global as well as regional bodies.

He further said that he has been tipped that Aljazeera intends to run another story on the same issue and will include his name.

“In the circumstances my reputation has been seriously damaged and I have suffered loss, considerable distress and embarrassment,” he said.

Mr Orengo said that it is difficult for Mr Wetang’ula to perform his duties and functions under the cloud of a defamatory story which is causing him stress, anxiety and embarrassment terming the report as false as well malicious.

The Senator has publicly denied any involvement with the allegations raised ever since the story ran.

He wants the case certified urgent and heard during the current court vacation.

He also wants an order issued stopping further publication of the said story since BBC has refused to grant him an apology.