Embakasi East Member of Parliament Babu Owino has dismissed claims by Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja that he bailed him out when he was arrested in 2018.
Babu Owino was arrested on January 19, 2018, by flying squad officers outside Parliament buildings and was later released from police custody after reports that Sakaja had made an undertaking of Ksh104,000 and a personal surety to produce him in court the next day.
Governor Sakaja recently reignited the topic, asserting that he has always been keen to bring people together, and reminded the public of his assistance to Babu. He also mentioned that during an incident involving Anthony Oluoch being attacked, he shielded Oluoch and offered himself up to the attackers first.
Babu Owino, however, dismissed Sakaja’s claims, stating that he paid his bail and accused Sakaja of visiting Parklands Police Station for political mileage.
“Stop lying to Kenyans, Sakaja Johnson, cool kid. You came to Parklands Police Station for political mileage. I paid my cash bail of 100k. I have been arrested so many times and you can still see me around. Do you want to say that you’ve been helping me with my cases?” Babu queried.
Stop lying to Kenyans Sakaja Johnson cool kid,you came to parklands police station for political mileage.I paid my own cash bail of 100k.I have been arrested so many times and you can still see me around,do you want to say that you’ve been helping me with my cases?I can never… https://t.co/gPqkztE0iC
— Babu Owino (@HEBabuOwino) May 29, 2024
Sakaja slams Gachagua
This exchange comes amidst escalating political tensions within the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA). Recently, Sakaja criticized Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, accusing him of being a “crybaby” during an address to over 7,000 UDA grassroots delegates at Bomas of Kenya on Wednesday, May 29, 2024.
In his pointed remarks, the Nairobi governor urged Gachagua to respect the presidency and other duly elected officials. Sakaja cast doubt on Gachagua’s complaints of political maneuvers meant to undermine him, pointing out past instances where Gachagua might have used intimidation tactics against fellow leaders.
These tensions are part of broader conflicts within the ruling party, as different factions vie for control ahead of the upcoming elections. Sakaja also claimed that his opponent for the position of UDA Nairobi branch chairman, Embakasi North MP James Gakuya, was a project of certain influential individuals. Gakuya is reportedly backed by the Deputy President.
