Court Orders Standard Media Group To Pay Former Police Officer Linda Okello KSh 6.5m In Libel Suit

• Linda Okello had sued the Standard Media Group over defamation after her image was 'improperly shared'
• Lawyer Tom Ojienda, who was among the plaintiff's legal team, announced that her client had been awarded KSh 6.5 million in damages
• In the suit, Okello sought, among other things, general damages for libel, aggravated and exemplary damages

Nairobi - Former Kenyan policewoman Linda Okello has won the legal suit she instituted against the Standard Media Group and one of its subsidiary publications over a supposed 'improper' sharing of her image.

Okello, whose photo in an eye-appealing police uniform went viral in 2014 for her curvaceous body physique, also sued the media outlet for using her image for commercial purposes devoid of her permission.

Linda Okello gets KSh 6.5 million in damages

In the suit, the now US-based Kenyan sought, among other things, general damages for libel, aggravated and exemplary damages, and an injunction restraining the Standard Group and its journalists from putting up defamatory publications against her.

Lawyer Tom Ojienda, who led the attorneys appearing for her, revealed their client had been awarded KSh 6.5 million in damages by Judge Asenath Ongeri.

"We have just won an award of KSh 6.5 million for Linda Okello a former police officer improperly degraded by the improper sharing of her image and likeness and the use of her image for commercial gain and or publicity," posted Ojienda on Twitter.

The media company was also compelled to cover the costs of the case from the time it was first instituted.

"Judgment be and is hereby entered in favour of the plaintiff against the defendants jointly and severally in the sum of KSh 6.5 million together with costs of this suit and interest at court rates from the date of this judgment until payment in full," partly read the judge's verdict.

The court also granted, among others, a permanent injunction against the Standard Group from publishing the defamatory words by innuendo similar in effect or substitute against Okello.

Linda Okello's gesture to former colleagues

Meanwhile, after relocating abroad, the policewoman has been partaking in charitable acts.

She recently offered to reward two beautiful cops for maintaining peace during the anti-government protests.

In the heartwarming gesture of appreciation, Okello took to social media to express her intention to reward the aforesaid.

The Facebook post in which she had announced the gesture sparked a positive reaction within the law enforcement community and the public.

"My next meta pay I'm gonna bless these two beautiful ladies and two cops in North Eastern bora ni fan wangu then Sammy Ondimu Ngare my kolik… See how they've kept the area safe."

She would then go ahead to share a photo of the two cops posing for a picture while in their uniforms and wearing big smiles on their faces.

The post highlighted her desire to recognise and reward the dedication of the two female police officers, whose actions have evidently impressed their colleagues and the public.