Embakasi East Member of Parliament (MP) Babu Owino has protested a summons by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), accusing the agency of intimidation and questioning the legality of its actions following his speech at the Linda Mwananchi rally in Malaba.
In a letter dated March 17, 2026, addressed to the DCI Regional Director for the Western Region, MP Babu Owino says junior officers, allegedly acting on instructions, asked him to travel to Kakamega to record a statement.
The MP argues that the demand is irregular and meant to harass him rather than serve justice.
Babu Owino Claps Back at DCI
The legislator says no formal or lawful summons had been served, arguing that the manner in which the communication was made raises serious legal and constitutional concerns.
He described the alleged move as intimidation rather than a legitimate investigative process.
In the letter, Babu Owino said he believes the choice of Kakamega as the venue for the alleged summons is deliberate and meant to inconvenience or intimidate him.
He argued that if there were legitimate grounds for questioning, any lawful process should be conducted through proper legal channels and within Nairobi.
“It is my view that the choice of Kakamega as the venue of torture is not only meant to intimidate and blackmail me, but is a testament to the regime’s determination to suppress the voice of the people. Unless there exists a specialized court to deal with me in Kakamega, I advise you to ask your superiors to pursue their malice against me in Nairobi,” the MP stated in his letter.
Importantly, the MP made it clear that he is not refusing to cooperate with lawful investigations.
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Instead, he insisted that any engagement with law enforcement must strictly follow the Constitution and established legal procedures.
He said he cannot submit to demands that are informal, irregular, or politically motivated.
Babu Owino’s Legal Concerns
The Embakasi East MP further raised legal concerns, pointing to a Court of Appeal ruling in Civil Appeal No. 197 of 2020 and its interpretation of the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act, 2018.
He argued that the law must not be applied selectively or used to silence dissent, insisting that investigators should clearly state how his remarks at the Malaba rally amount to any offence under the Act.
He accused officers behind the summons of advancing what he termed “regime-sponsored investigations,” saying he would not be drawn into processes meant to achieve political ends.
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The MP maintained that he holds public office on behalf of the people and must act within the law, not under pressure from state agencies.
Babu Owino also warned against the misuse of power by investigative bodies, stating that authority must be exercised independently and within constitutional limits.
He stressed that institutions such as the Directorate of Criminal Investigations must avoid actions that could be seen as targeting individuals for political reasons.
To support his position, the MP cited the French philosopher Simone Weil, noting that power, if unchecked, can reduce individuals to mere instruments.
“As Simon Weil said, instruments of power, arms, gold, machines, magical or technical secrets always exist independently of him who disposes of them and can be taken up by others. Consequently, all power is unstable,” Babu Owino stated.
He also cited author Patrick Rothfuss, warning that power combined with poor judgment becomes dangerous.
The MP ended his letter with a firm call for the DCI leadership to control its officers and ensure that any investigations involving him follow proper legal channels.
He reiterated that he remains ready to cooperate, but only within the framework of the law and without intimidation.
