'Witch-hunt': MP Babu Owino alleges State plot to silence him through EACC

Embakasi East Member of Parliament Babu Owino has come out guns blazing, accusing the State of orchestrating a political witch-hunt against him in a bid to silence his vocal opposition to the government.

The outspoken legislator claims that high-level meetings have been held to strategize on how to "manage" or "dwarf" his rising popularity, including alleged plans to bribe, intimidate, or legally frustrate him.

 “The State has realized that our popularity has really grown, and they want to manage/dwarf this popularity. They have approached Babu Owino on several occasions so that Babu can work with government, but Babu has refused and has said clearly that he wants to work for Kenyans,” Owino stated.

According to the lawmaker, efforts to co-opt him into supporting the government have failed, leading to what he describes as attempts to "put him down."

He alleges that a recent meeting involving key stakeholders discussed strategies to either persuade or frustrate him, including using the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) as a tool of intimidation.

“Some proposed that Babu Owino should be approached, bought, bribed, so that he can support the government. Some came with an idea that Babu Owino should be dealt with perpendicularly; that they should send the EACC to our offices to come and besmirch the good name of Babu Owino,” he asserted.

Owino claims he has received reliable information that EACC is planning a visit to his constituency offices in Donholm, with the sole intention of tarnishing his reputation.

He, however, maintains that his record as MP is above reproach, citing a recent Auditor General’s report that exonerates him from any misuse of public funds.

“The Auditor General states in her report that; ‘I confirm that nothing else has come to my attention to cause me to believe that public resources have not been applied lawfully and in an effective way.’ If this report came from the Auditor General, and it is a public document, then why does the government want to use EACC to come and intimidate Babu Owino?” he questioned.

The MP warned the EACC against being dragged into what he calls a politically motivated campaign, urging the commission to uphold its independence.

He insists that all projects under his watch in Embakasi East Constituency have followed due process and remain verifiable.

“I want to tell the EACC that you’re an independent body, do not get involved in this politics. And our office is very open; anytime you want to know about any project in Embakasi East Constituency, we have done all the projects that we advertised, and there’s a clear procedure on how the tenders are awarded,” he said.

Despite what he perceives as continued attempts to derail him, Owino remained defiant, stating that he has faced numerous legal and political battles in the past and will not be intimidated.

“If the government wants to come for me, I want to tell you that you’ve come for me severally; this is not any news to me. I have faced so many things within the court corridors, and now you’ve decided that you want to come, just with an intention to soil, pollute the otherwise good name of the best Member of Parliament in this country,” he declared.

The legislator’s remarks now set the stage for a potential showdown between him and the government, as he remains steadfast in his criticism of its policies and governance.