British author loses Kenyan libel case

A senior Kenyan judge has won substantial libel damages from a British author over allegations made in a biography of President Daniel arap Moi.

The book suggests the judge, John Gicheru -- who led the judicial inquiry into the murder of the former foreign minister, Robert Ouko -- received hospitality from a senior government official implicated in the case.

In her ruling, a High Court judge Justice Lady Aluoch ordered the writer, Andrew Morton best-known for his best-selling biography of Diana, Princess of Wales to pay Judge Gicheru almost thirty thousand dollars.

Mr Gicheru failed to win an injuction stopping further publication of the book Moi: The Making of an African Statesman.

Another similar libel case against Mr Morton by another Kenyan judge is still pending.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service