Come and Get Me: Babu Owino Challenges DCI Over Alleged Arrest Plans

The Embakasi East Member of Parliament claimed on Friday that the Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI) plans to arrest him.

In a social media post, the MP defiantly challenges the authorities to proceed with their supposed plan, stating that he had a date with his wife but was aware of the DCI's intentions. This revelation comes shortly after Owino had made another contentious claim regarding the abduction of activist Bob Njagi. Initially, Owino alleged that Njagi had been assassinated, a statement he later retracted. Law Society of Kenya (LSK) President Faith Odhiambo subsequently clarified that Njagi was, in fact, alive and had presented himself at Tigoni Police Station after being released by his abductors.

In response to the clarification, Owino asserts that his allegations were part of a calculated strategy that led to the safe return of the missing individuals known as the Kitengela 3. He claims that Bob Njagi and the Longton brothers had been released in the early hours of the morning, attributing their return to his tactical approach. Owino goes on to suggest that such strategies are necessary to confront the government effectively. The incident involving Bob Njagi and the Longton brothers had been a cause for concern, as they had been abducted in Kitengela a month prior. The Langton brothers were eventually found alive, having been abandoned by their captors at the border of Kiambu and Nairobi.

Should Owino indeed face arrest, it would not be an unprecedented event in his political career. In July 2023, he was apprehended by DCI officers at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) upon his return to the country. Members of the ODM party alleged that Owino's arrest was a consequence of his active participation in Azimio protests, which had intensified as the opposition mobilized citizens to demonstrate against various issues, including the high cost of living. Owino's political journey has been characterized by numerous controversies and legal entanglements.

Recently, he was summoned by the DCI to address allegations of money laundering and incitement. The MP dismissed the summons as baseless and continued to vocalize his support for youth-led protests against the government. The outspoken nature of the Embakasi East MP and his involvement in high-profile incidents have solidified his position as a polarizing figure in Kenyan politics. His recent allegations and the ensuing developments have only served to further accentuate his contentious political career.