Maandamano: Owino & Gaucho Arrested
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has detained two prominent Azimio La Umoja Nairobi politicians just hours before the start of the three-day protests.
According to reports, DCI officers stationed at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport arrested Embakasi East Member of Parliament Babu Owino upon his return from Mombasa, while self-proclaimed ghetto president Calvin Gaucho was apprehended yesterday evening.
Director of Communications for the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Party, Philip Etale, confirmed the arrests and stated that Babu was arrested, but the officers did not disclose the cause for his detention.
“Babu was arrested while attending a meeting organized by the Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA) with other Members of Parliament from Nairobi,” Etale explained.
However, a video that went viral after the arrest is a hoax, as it was recorded on September 17, 2017, after Babu was re-arrested at the Milimani Law Courts mere minutes after his release.
According to Etale, Babu’s detention was likely related to the ongoing protests in which the Azimio la Umoja Coalition is demanding, among other things, a reduction in the cost of living.
Babu, a close ally of ODM Party Leader Raila Odinga, was anticipated to lead protests in Embakasi East beginning on Wednesday, July 19, and continuing through Friday, July 21.
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On Sunday, July 16, Babu visited a group of young men who had been detained for taking part in an illegal demonstration and vowed to secure their release.
“I stood in solidarity with 16 constituents at the Ruai Police Station.” Yesterday, they were unlawfully apprehended at Jacaranda Grounds. Tomorrow, they will be brought to court, and I will pay their cash bond, said Babu.
The member of parliament for Embakasi East has been a key figure in the ongoing protests called by his party leader Raila Odinga, who urged his supporters to come out in large numbers and resist the government of President William Ruto.
On Tuesday, July 18, Senator Ledama Ole Kina of Narok claimed that a group of police officers raided his residence in Nairobi in an attempt to arrest him, but he was not in the city at the time.
In an act of defiance, Ole Kina provided the police with his GPS coordinates so that they could readily locate him. The Senator from Narok stated that he had nothing to dread and that he would not become a lawbreaker.
“While you are pursuing us and attempting to apprehend us, looting of public funds proceeds. Here is my address. Please join me for a beverage,” Ole Kina requested.
Maandamano: Owino & Gaucho Arrested
