Embakasi East MP Babu Owino has alleged that he was violently attacked on Thursday afternoon at a restaurant along Lenana Road in the Kilimani area, an incident he says posed a serious threat to his life.
In a press statement, the MP said he had gone to the restaurant at about 3:40 pm for a private meeting with a senior clergyman after releasing his security detail for the Christmas holidays. He said the meeting lasted about twenty minutes before he stood up to leave.
As he was departing, Owino said he noticed a group of people he knew seated at a nearby table and approached them to greet them out of courtesy. Among those present, he said, was Kileleshwa Ward MCA Robert Alai.
According to Owino, Alai immediately accused him of orchestrating alleged social media attacks against Alai’s wife. The MP said he denied the accusation, stating that he does not know Alai’s wife and would never involve family members or women in political battles.
Owino claims that the situation escalated rapidly, with Alai allegedly becoming aggressive, pushing him, drawing a pistol, and striking him on the chest and jaw with it, in full view of other patrons at the restaurant.
He said he urged Alai to calm down and asked him to explain what he had done to warrant such a reaction. Although the situation briefly de escalated and another individual positioned himself between them, Owino said the MCA later turned hostile again and poured a glass of water on his face as a crowd gathered.
The MP said he then chose to leave the premises immediately to avoid a physical confrontation and proceeded to Kilimani Police Station, where he reported the matter.
Owino described the incident as an unprovoked and politically motivated attack, saying it formed part of a sustained pattern of threats and harassment against him. He linked the alleged assault to previous incidents, including what he described as attacks by goons during the burial of Raila Odinga’s late son in Siaya.
He has called on relevant authorities to conduct thorough investigations and take action in accordance with the law.
“As leaders, we are expected to set an example,” Owino said, adding that calm should not be mistaken for fear and that he would continue to stand his ground in defence of his life, dignity, and the rule of law.
Police had not issued an official statement on the incident by the time of publication.
