Former police officer Linda Okello received Kes 6.5 million in damages from the High Court in a case where she sued the Standard Media Group over a viral photo in 2014.
Ms Okello sued Standard’s subsidiary, the Nairobian, and two journalists for publishing a side profile photo of the policewoman on duty in a tight skirt.
She claimed, via her attorney, Tom Ojienda, that the media outlet had unlawfully degraded her by publishing and using her image and appearance for publicity or business purposes.
In a decision dated August 17, Justice Asenath Ongeri mandated that Okello be compensated for defamation with Kes—6.5 million by Standard Group, The Nairobian newspaper, Pkemoi Ngenoh, and Charles Otieno.
“Judgment be and is hereby entered in favour of the plaintiff against the defendants jointly and severally in the sum of Kshs. Six million, five hundred thousand shillings (6,500,000) together with costs of this suit and interest at court rates from the date of this judgment until payment in full,” court papers read.
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At the time, Okello's picture stirred up discussion on social media as Kenyans debated whether or not her attire was appropriate. She also became the focus of widely shared online memes.
Two years later, in 2016, during a campaign against Kiambu County's bribe-taking police officers, the then-corporal was downgraded to a constable due to suspicions of corruption.
As a result, Okello sued Joseph Boinnet, the police inspector general at the time, for unfair demotion. She insisted that she was never given the chance to reply.
She joined the service in May 2003, carrying out general tasks in Kisii after receiving training at the Kiganjo Police College, according to the former officer, whose attorney was also Prof. Ojienda.
She was promoted to corporal in 2008, later joined the Traffic Department in 2009, and was posted to Kiambu.
Okello has since quit the police force and relocated to the United States.
