Former Nairobi Governor Mike Mbuvi Sonko told the Milimani High Court on Monday that his controversial remarks against advocate Lucy Momanyi were truthful and made in good faith.

Sonko said his comments during a 2014 television interview, where he called Momanyi a thief, were based on what he genuinely believed at the time.

“I spoke freely on the morning show. What I said were things I believed to be true,” Sonko told the court, referring to his appearance on KTN’s Morning Express talk-show.

He admitted making the remarks but maintained he had evidence to back them. “I called Lucy a thief and I have evidence she is one,” he said.

The defamation suit was filed by Momanyi, who argues that Sonko’s televised statements damaged her reputation as an advocate. She accuses him of making false and injurious allegations before a national audience.

Sonko linked his comments to a March 31, 2014 article that he said portrayed him negatively, including claims that he was a thief and questions about his acquittal in a Mombasa fraud case.

“I was invited to respond to the article to give my side of the story,” he told the court.

He said his televised response stemmed from a dispute involving the estate of the late James Simon Bellhouse. Momanyi had acted as a co-administrator of the estate, and Sonko alleged tensions arose over properties he claimed were not disclosed in the will.

“I was not an executor of the deceased. The contents of the will became doubtful and I sought clarification from the plaintiff, who ignored my requests,” he said.

Sonko added that the widow of the deceased had filed complaints with the Law Society of Kenya and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, some of which were later reported in the media. He said she also reported alleged threats and he advised her to go to the police.

However, Sonko admitted he did not record a police statement on the matter. He also told the court he was not aware whether Momanyi had ever been charged with theft.

Momanyi was absent from Monday’s proceedings. The court was told she is unwell and in Mombasa.

The case hinges on whether Sonko’s remarks amount to fair comment made in the public interest or cross into defamation.

• A Tell Media report