Embakasi East MP Babu Owino has accused Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja of orchestrating the chaos witnessed in the capital on Tuesday, blaming him for sponsoring goons who unleashed violence on innocent civilians.
The outspoken legislator claimed the attacks were carried out with the backing of senior government officials, terming the acts as organised terror disguised under the cover of anti-street protests.
Babu, who has been a vocal critic of Sakaja's leadership, condemned the violence, calling it a calculated assault on democracy and public safety.
He vowed to use all avenues available to ensure such "state-enabled" criminality is stopped. "The recent attacks by goons on innocent people are not just acts of cowardice but a direct assault on the values we hold dear as a society. These goons are criminals and must be treated as such," he stated.
In his scathing remarks, Babu lashed out at the governor, saying, "Johnson Sakaja, your actions did not make you strong. Hurting others does not give you power; it only reveals your utter disregard for the rule of law." He further urged the government to support families affected by the unrest instead of protecting those responsible.
The MP argued that the capital has become disorganised under Sakaja’s administration, with the help of government machinery now allegedly being used to intimidate and suppress the public.
However, at the time of publishing, Sakaja had yet to comment on the allegations made by Owino.
Meanwhile, on June 15, Sakaja warned that those who were involved in the destruction of infrastructure within the city during the previous weeks' protests would be apprehended.
Speaking in Kamagut, the county boss claimed that investigations by security agencies had already uncovered who vandalised county infrastructure and other properties across the city during demonstrations.
According to Sakaja, the individuals, whom he labelled as 'criminals', masqueraded as protesters and destroyed the recently installed lighting and sanitation infrastructure, eclipsing the original motive of the demonstrations, which was to protest the passing of Albert Ojwang while in police custody on June 8.
''Even if we are angry, let us not destroy our property. If we must demonstrate, let us do so peacefully. The next time, let no one try to destroy infrastructure, burn cars, steal from businesses, or cause chaos,'' Sakaja said.
Armed with crude weapons, including knives and clubs, goons went after protestors and other civilians in the CBD, snatching handbags, phones, and any other valuables they could get hold of during the Tuesday protests.
