Embakasi East Member of Parliament Babu Owino has alleged that the government has withdrawn his official security in retaliation for his participation in the anti-government protests held on Wednesday, June 25.
In a strongly-worded statement issued on Thursday, Owino said the move followed his active role in the demonstrations, which were organised to commemorate the first anniversary of the 2023 anti-Finance Bill protests that claimed the lives of at least 60 people.
“Yesterday, I stood with the people not against the nation, but for its future,” the MP posted on X (formerly Twitter). “I exercised my democratic right to protest peacefully against the actions of a government that is failing its citizens.”
Owino claimed that the withdrawal of his bodyguards is a deliberate move by the state to punish him for standing in solidarity with protesting youth, popularly referred to as Gen Z.
“Today, in retaliation, the government has withdrawn my official security,” he said, adding that such action signals a broader attack on democratic values. “This is not just an attack on me, it is an attack on democracy itself.”
Despite the alleged intimidation, Owino vowed not to back down. “I do not fear intimidation. I will not be silenced. Kenyans are my security,” he declared.
The MP called on citizens to remain vigilant and united, urging them to hold leaders accountable. “Your leaders should answer to you, not threaten those who stand beside you,” he said.
During the June 25 protests, Babu Owino was seen in the streets, at one point being lifted by demonstrators. On Tuesday, he had urged the youth to continue their push for justice in memory of those who lost their lives in the 2024 demonstrations.
“What I will tell my Gen-Z brothers and sisters is to fight on, soldier on. It is not over until it is over,’’ he said.
By the time of publishing, police had not issued any comment regarding Owino’s claims. The move, however, has stirred political debate, raising questions about how far the government will go in handling dissent.
