Veteran broadcaster Fred Obachi Machoka has told the High Court that an alleged Facebook post by Kileleshwa MCA Robert Alai did not just attack his health status, but struck at the heart of a reputation and brand he has built for nearly five decades.

Testifying in his defamation suit against Alai, Machoka said the post falsely portrayed him as HIV positive and suggested that antiretroviral drugs were affecting his judgment, claims he described as false, malicious and deeply damaging.

“I felt defamed when he went on his Facebook account alleging that I am HIV positive and taking ARVs which are making me irrational in thinking,” Machoka told the court.

Machoka adopted his witness statement and court pleadings as part of his evidence, telling the court that his name has been built over years of public service, broadcasting, corporate engagements and business.

He narrated that he joined the police service in 1972, where he served for four years before moving to broadcasting at the then Voice of Kenya, now the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation. He later joined Royal Media Services, where he works on Radio Citizen and Citizen TV.

The court heard that Machoka has received several honours and awards during his career, including the Media Council Lifetime Achievement Award, the Head of State Commendation and the Order of the Grand Warrior.

Machoka said the disputed post caused serious harm because he is not only a broadcaster but also a public figure whose name is linked to business ventures, public events and corporate engagements.

He told the court that he regularly serves as a master of ceremonies at major national and international events, adding that such work depends heavily on public trust and personal credibility.

The veteran broadcaster also said his brand is associated with Fred’s Ranch, a hospitality business, and estimated the value of his personal brand at between KSh150 million and KSh200 million.

Machoka said the Facebook post specifically referred to “Fred Obachi Machoka OGW” and questioned whether HIV causes insanity, leaving no doubt that the remarks were directed at him.

He told the court the reference to his full name and national honour made it clear that he was the subject of the publication.

During cross-examination, Machoka was pressed on Alai’s defence that he does not own the Facebook account from which the alleged defamatory post was published.

Machoka maintained that the account is widely known to belong to Alai, saying his lawyers had obtained documents from previous court proceedings which, in his view, link the account to the MCA.

He admitted that he did not write directly to Facebook to verify the ownership of the account, but insisted that the account’s history, activity and posting pattern pointed to Alai.

Machoka rejected suggestions that the account could be fake, telling the court that he relied on documentary evidence he believes is authentic.

He also denied being HIV positive and told the court he would be ready to undergo a medical test if directed to do so.

“If the court orders me to undergo an HIV test, I am ready right now,” Machoka testified.

Machoka further defended a separate online response in which he referred to Alai as “Mujinga ni wewe,” saying it was a reaction to earlier comments allegedly made by Alai and that no legal action had been filed against him over the statement.

The suit stems from a Facebook post allegedly published in May 2025. Earlier reports indicated that Machoka sued Alai seeking KSh60 million in damages over claims that the post falsely linked him to HIV and ARVs, while Alai has contested ownership of the disputed Facebook account.