Former minister Chris Murungaru testifies in defamation case against John Githongo

NAIROBI, KENYA: Former Ethics and Governance Permanent Secretary John Githongo did not consult former Internal Security Minister Chris Murungaru before publishing his book that is critical of him, the court heard.

Murungaru told the court that his views were not sought before publishing the book, adding that he was shocked to read about the allegations linking him to the Anglo Leasing Scandal in Githongo's book, It's Our Time To Eat.

Githongo, Murungaru told the court, has never been an investigator in the country and neither has he been gazetted as one.

"Githongo has never been hired by the Kenya Government as an investigator," Murungaru said.

He told the court that prior to the serialisation of the contentious book in 2006 by a local daily, there had been public reporting of the scandal by the media.

He said he has since filed about six court cases, some them accusing media houses and their editors of libel, following their reports linking him to the scandal and serialisation of the book.

Murungaru wants Githongo to pay him damages citing that a dossier prepared by Githongo in 2005, which he claims was widely circulated in the media, ruined his reputation and destroyed his political career. Hearing continues.