Embakasi East Member of Parliament Babu Owino called out the Kenyan state over what he termed “fake and imaginary” terrorism charges brought against eight men accused of torching Mawego Police Station in Homa Bay County.
Owino, appearing as legal counsel at Kahawa Law Courts on July 15 for the accused claimed his clients were being used as scapegoats to quell public dissent, calling the charges politically motivated and legally baseless.
“My clients, who are fishermen and Boda-boda riders, were re-arrested at Oyugis Law Courts after being freed, only to be dragged to Nairobi on fake charges,” Owino told the court. “As an advocate of the High Court of Kenya, I reminded the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions not to be used, misused, or abused by the Executive.”
The eight men all pleaded not guilty to terrorism, arson, and malicious damage to property.
Babu Owino Defend Protestors
Owino challenged the prosecution’s case as lacking merit, accusing the police and prosecutors of orchestrating a legal “relay race” by hopping between courts with shifting charges.
Also Read: Gachagua Faces Backlash For Mourning Death Of KK Mwenyewe
“Your honor, this is no longer an investigation; it’s a marathon of injustice,” Owino said. “They call it terrorism; I call it targeting hustlers. We strike; they shake.”
Owino questioned how young men with no history of crime or extremism, some who had never travelled to Nairobi before could suddenly be labelled national security threats.
“These are innocent hustlers, transporters of fish, students. They couldn’t even afford fare from Homa Bay to Nairobi. And now they are facing terrorism charges?” he asked.
The defence argued for bail, stating that the accused pose no flight risk and that the charges, as presented, lacked compelling evidence.
A ruling on bail is expected on July 22.
Also Read: Govt to Host Multisectoral Forum with Traders After Protest Disruptions
Mawego Police Station Torched
The charges stem from the events of July 3, when demonstrators set fire to Mawego Police Station in Homa Bay following the controversial death of Albert Ojwang, who died while in police custody after being transferred to Nairobi.
The protest, which began as a peaceful procession carrying Ojwang’s coffin, descended into chaos when a group forced entry into the station and set it ablaze.
Police officers were forced to flee the premises as they were overwhelmed by the crowd.
In the aftermath, the National Police Service (NPS) redeployed officers from Mawego to Kendu Bay and suspended operations at the burned-out facility.
Reconstruction of the station, the NPS said, will be subject to consultations with the local community.
Follow our WhatsApp Channel and X Account for real-time news updates.
