Embakasi East Member of Parliament (MP) Paul Ongili, popularly known as Babu Owino, has accused the government of orchestrating a political witch hunt against him due to his growing popularity.
Speaking during a live session yesterday, Babu Owino claimed that the state had repeatedly tried to persuade him to align with the government, but he has consistently refused.
The vocal legislator noted that he was informed by credible sources that a meeting involving high-profile government officials was held last week to plot the arrest and coerce him to join the current administration.
According to Owino, the well-orchestrated scheme was also aimed at bringing him down politically and tainting his growing reputation as the most preferred politician in Kenya.
“I want to talk about the witch hunt that is coming from the government of the day. The state has realised that our popularity has really grown and that they want to manage and dwarf this popularity. They have approached Babu Owino on several occasions so that Babu can work with the government. Babu has refused and has said clearly that he wants to work for Kenyans,” Babu Owino said
The vocal legislator attributed his criticism of the government to its failure to fulfil the promises made to Kenyans during the campaign period.
“Why do we oppose the government? Why do we keep checks on the government? It is because the government has not shown any effort to solve this issue of concern that I am raising,” he said.
He claimed the EACC officers intended to arrest and impose trumped-up graft charges against him in an attempt to stop his criticism of the government.
Babu questioned why the government would use the EACC to target him despite a recent Auditor General’s report clearing his constituency.
He warned the EACC against being used as a political tool, urging the agency to remain independent and focus on its mandate.
“The auditor general put out a report of all the constituencies in this country, and the auditor general can not be bribed. Why does the government want to use EACC to come and intimidate Babu Owino? I want to tell EACC not to get involved in this politics,” Babu said.
Babu Owino vowed to continue holding the government accountable.
