A team of lawyers led by Senior Counsel Danstan Omari and advocate Shadrack Wambui has announced that their client, Peter Oyan, has withdrawn a complaint he had lodged against sections of the media over publications concerning his HIV status, saying he has chosen forgiveness after investigations into the matter were concluded.
Addressing the press on Sunday, the lawyers said Oyan had initially reported the matter to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) following what they described as false, malicious and fabricated reports published on February 8, 2026 regarding his HIV diagnosis and subsequent testimony of healing.
According to the lawyers, the DCI opened investigations to establish whether Oyan had previously tested HIV positive, whether he had been enrolled in HIV treatment, whether his name appeared in the National AIDS and STI Control Programme (NASCOP) Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) register and whether he had later tested HIV negative.
The legal team said investigators obtained court orders allowing them to access Oyan’s medical records, including the official NASCOP ART register maintained at Rumuruti Sub-County Hospital.
According to the statement, the records confirmed that Oyan was enrolled into HIV care on May 3, 2012 under the Ministry of Health HIV programme, where he was classified under WHO Clinical Stage III and commenced on antiretroviral therapy (ARVs) in accordance with government treatment protocols.
The lawyers further stated that the ART register disproved media reports that had claimed Oyan’s name did not appear in the hospital records.
“The register confirmed factually that Mr. Peter Oyan was enrolled into HIV care on 3rd May 2012,” the statement reads.
According to the statement, investigators also obtained court orders authorising fresh medical examinations at the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), where DNA-PCR qualitative tests were conducted on Oyan, his wife and daughter.
The legal team said the results confirmed that all three tested HIV negative.
The lawyers further stated that investigators recorded statements from healthcare workers involved in Oyan’s treatment, members of HIV support groups, and the healthcare professional who initially diagnosed him with HIV in 2012.
According to the statement, the healthcare worker confirmed that Oyan later returned for another HIV test after attending a religious meeting led by Prophet Dr. David Owuor in Eldoret in April 2014, where prayers were offered for the sick. The lawyers said Oyan testified that after the prayers, he returned to the same healthcare professional for further examination and subsequently tested HIV negative.
The legal team said the DCI completed its investigations and forwarded the file to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) for consideration.
However, before any further action could be taken, Oyan informed the ODPP that he no longer wished to pursue the complaint.
“After careful consideration, prayer and sincere spiritual reflection, Mr. Peter Oyan wrote to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions informing it that he no longer wished to pursue the complaint and requested that the matter be withdrawn,” the statement says.
According to the lawyers, although they believe sufficient evidence had been gathered during the investigations, Oyan chose forgiveness over litigation.
“As a practising Christian, Mr. Peter Oyan believes that while the law provides remedies for injury to one’s reputation, the Christian faith equally calls believers to exercise forgiveness where reconciliation is possible,” the statement reads.
Oyan also emphasized that his decision to withdraw the complaint should not be interpreted as an admission that the publications were truthful.
“Mr. Peter Oyan wishes to emphasize that his decision to withdraw the complaint should not be interpreted as an admission that the publications made were accurate, justified or truthful. Rather, it is a deliberate decision founded upon Christian conviction to forgive, to reconcile and to move forward in peace,” the statement concludes.
