The Wang’uru police station in Mwea, Kirinyaga County, became the focal point of tension on Thursday morning as the family of Embakasi East Member of Parliament, Babu Owino, demanded the immediate release of the legislator who was allegedly being held at the station.
Led by Babuo's wife, Fridah Ongili, and lawyer Ndegwa Njiru, the family sought answers regarding Babu's status, the reasons for his arrest, and the charges he faced.
Ongili recounted that she had last spoken with her husband late Tuesday night when he informed her of his arrest and detention at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi.
The MP was reportedly on his way from Mombasa to the capital city, yet the reason behind the 11 pm arrest was not disclosed to him.
“He said he would call me after that if he would be able to, but his phone went off and it has not been on since,” Fridah said, expressing her concern over the lack of communication.
Read More
Lawyer Njiru, demanding an audience with the Officer in Charge (OCS), asserted that they would not depart from the station until they were provided with the necessary information regarding Babu's case and the circumstances surrounding his arrest.
The situation was further intensified when the lawyer disclosed that they had received information about former Mungiki leader, Maina Njenga, being detained at the same station.
Maina Njenga had been arrested at his father’s residence in Ngong, Kajiado County, on Wednesday evening, and transported to Wang’uru police station under the cover of darkness, as per Njiru's statement.
“What is so unique about this police station? There have been cases of people being killed here, and we are apprehensive about the safety of Owino and Njenga,” said the lawyer, expressing concerns over the security and well-being of the detainees.
Babu's wife, earlier reaching out to leaders in the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya coalition, with whom the MP is affiliated, pleaded for assistance, asserting that her husband had done nothing wrong to warrant his arrest.
The suspicion arose that the MP's detention might be linked to the three-day anti-government protests initiated by the opposition on Wednesday to protest against the soaring cost of living.
"The only problem is we have information that he's likely to be transferred now that we know where he is so I'm praying to God that he will just stay here," Fridah expressed her worry over possible relocation of her husband.
"My plea to Azimio leaders, Raila Odinga, (do) what you can do to please assist my husband to be free... to the government... you are the ones holding him illegally. All I want is to give my husband food and to check on him... to see that he is safe," she earnestly implored.
As tensions persist and suspicions linger, the Babu family and their legal representatives remain determined in their pursuit of answers and justice for the detained MP.
The situation at Wang’uru police station continues to draw attention as the public eagerly awaits official responses regarding the status of Babu Owino and Maina Njenga.
