Babu Owino Freed on Bail

Embakasi East MP Babu Owino speaking at a past event
Embakasi East MP Babu Owino speaking in Embakasi Constituency in September 2022.
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Babu Owino

Embakasi East Member of Parliament Babu Owino was on Friday, July 21 released on a Ksh100,000 cash bail and an alternative of Ksh200,000 bond.

The legislator had been charged with conspiracy to commit subversive activities.

In his ruling Milimani Chief Magistrate Lukas Onyina observed the prosecution's claims that the accused would have interfered with witnesses were mere aspersions.

"One of the reasons advanced by the prosecution is that they are likely to interfere with witnesses. However, there is no indication of which the accused person will interfere with a specific witness," the judge ruled.

Embakasi East Member of Parliament Babu Owino alongside other accused persons at the Milimani Law Courts on Friday, July 21.
Embakasi East Member of Parliament Babu Owino alongside other accused persons at the Milimani Law Courts on Friday, July 21.
Kenyans.co.ke

"The prosecution has not established reasons for the denial of bail," he further observed.

Self-styled ghetto president Calvince "Gaucho" Okoth and five others were also released on bail alongside Babu.

The prosecution wanted the seven detained for more days as the police continue with their investigations to build a watertight case. 

Babu Owino was arrested on Tuesday, July 19 at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) after attending a parliamentary committee meeting in Nakuru.

He was then taken to Wang'uru Police Station where he was held until his arraignment in court on Thursday, July 20.

The lawmaker is among a number of Azimio la Umoja leaders who were arrested as the government clamped down on opposition stalwarts it accused of planning subversive activities.

Other opposition-affiliated leaders that were apprehended include; Mathare MP Antony Oluoch, former Mungiki leader Maina Njenga and Raila Odinga's bodyguard Maurice Ogeta.

Meanwhile, Azimio is set to hold protests within the Central Business District (CBD) later in the day.

Raila Walking to Work
A photo collage of ODM Party Leader Raila Odinga walking to work in Nairobi on Monday, July 10, 2023.
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Raila Odinga
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