NAIROBI, Kenya — Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has been sued for defamation over remarks allegedly linking Stabex International Limited and private companies to irregular petroleum dealings.
In a case filed before the High Court, Jackson Kiplimo, chairman of Stabex International Limited, alongside two associated companies, is seeking damages, arguing that statements made by Gachagua were false, malicious, and harmful to their reputation.
According to court filings, the plaintiffs accuse Gachagua of making a series of public remarks alleging that Stabex and Gulf Energy were being used as proxies in a government-to-government (G2G) petroleum procurement arrangement linked to President William Ruto.
The suit cites statements allegedly made on April 5, 2026, at AIPCA Gakoe Church in Kiambu County, where Gachagua is said to have claimed that the President was conducting petroleum business through the two companies and had made profits exceeding Ksh1.5 trillion since taking office.
“The statements are completely false. The 1st plaintiff (Stabex) has no involvement whatsoever in the G2G framework, no proxy relationship with the President, and no illicit dealings,” reads the court documents.
“The defendant (Gachagua) acted in actual malice, political jealosy and reckless disregard for the truth. He failed to verify any facts, ignored public records and deliberately chose inflammatory language to incite public outrage for political gain.”
Gachagua is also accused of alleging that senior officials at the Kenya Pipeline Company and the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) were involved in parallel fuel importation arrangements without the President’s knowledge.
The plaintiffs contend that the remarks falsely portrayed them as participants in unlawful activities, damaging their reputation, credibility, and business operations.
They maintain that the claims are entirely unsubstantiated, stating that Stabex has no role in the G2G petroleum procurement framework and operates as a legitimate oil marketing company with a wide footprint across East Africa, including more than 200 retail outlets and bulk depots.
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Mr Kiplimo also denies any proxy relationship with President Ruto or any other individual.
Court documents indicate that the plaintiffs issued a demand letter to Gachagua on April 9, 2026, seeking a public retraction and unconditional apology. They claim he has failed to respond, thereby aggravating the alleged harm.
The suit seeks general and exemplary damages, as well as a permanent injunction to restrain Gachagua from publishing or repeating the statements in question.
The case emerges amid heightened political tensions in Kenya, particularly around fuel pricing, petroleum imports, and the government’s handling of the energy sector.
Legal analysts note that defamation suits involving senior political figures often test the balance between freedom of expression and protection of reputation, especially where allegations relate to matters of public interest.
