NAIROBI, Kenya – Embakasi East MP Babu Owino now claims that the government has withdrawn his official security detail in retaliation for participating in the June 25 protest anniversary demonstrations.
In a statement posted on social media Thursday, the outspoken legislator said the move amounts to political intimidation and warned that it signals a broader attack on democratic freedoms in Kenya.
“Yesterday, I stood with the people, not against the nation, but for its future,” Owino said. “Today, in retaliation, the government has withdrawn my official security.”
WITHDRAWAL OF MY SECURITY BY THE GOVERNMENT.Yesterday, I stood with the people, not against the nation, but for its future. I exercised my democratic right to protest peacefully against the actions of a government that is failing its citizens. Today, in retaliation, the
The MP, a vocal critic of President William Ruto’s administration, joined thousands of Kenyans—many of them youth—who took to the streets this week to mark one year since deadly anti-Finance Bill protests rocked the country.
This year’s demonstrations also turned violent, with at least 16 people killed and over 400 injured, according to human rights groups.
Owino said that punishing elected leaders for siding with citizens sets a dangerous precedent and reflects a government that is “afraid of accountability.”
“This is not just an attack on me—it is an attack on democracy itself,” he added. “When elected representatives are punished for standing with the people, it is a sign of a government that fears accountability, not one that serves.”
The lawmaker declared that he would not be intimidated, saying his security now lies with the public.
“Kenyans are my security,” Owino said. “I will not be silenced.”
There has been no official comment from the Ministry of Interior or the National Police Service regarding the alleged withdrawal of Owino’s protection.
The MP’s claims come amid growing concern over the state’s response to peaceful dissent, including the reported use of live ammunition, media censorship, and arbitrary arrests during the June 25 protests.
Several rights groups, including Amnesty International Kenya and the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR), have condemned what they call excessive use of force by police.
Owino is among a handful of lawmakers who joined demonstrators this week, as Gen Z-led protests evolved into a broader movement against corruption, economic injustice, and police brutality.
