NAIROBI, Kenya — Siaya Governor James Orengo and Embakasi East MP Babu Owino on Wednesday accused investigative agencies of political misuse after appearing at the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) headquarters alongside Owino’s bodyguard, who is facing fresh allegations.
The two leaders said their visit to the Kiambu Road-based headquarters was aimed at resisting what they termed as attempts to weaponise law enforcement against the Linda Mwananchi Movement.
“We refuse to let the police be used as a political hit squad,” Orengo said, warning that such actions undermine constitutional order.
At the centre of the dispute is Oliver Ochieng’, Owino’s bodyguard, who had previously been arrested in 2024 over an alleged murder case and is now facing new accusations linked to the killing of a General Service Unit (GSU) officer in Kisumu.
Babu Owino claimed the charges are fabricated and politically motivated.
“We have brought Oliver here because we want clarity on the charges he is facing. I hear they want to plant a gun, bullets and teargas on him and frame him,” he said.
The legislator further alleged that a special contingent of DCI officers was dispatched from Nairobi to Kisumu in six vehicles to pursue Ochieng’, questioning why local units were bypassed.
He linked the alleged operation to Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo, claiming Ochieng’ was targeted after declining to cooperate with him—an allegation that has not been independently verified.
Owino also accused Deputy DCI Director John Onyango of coordinating the operations without the knowledge of DCI Director Amin Mohamed.
In escalating rhetoric, the MP called for protests in Kisumu and urged residents to resist what he termed “rogue officers,” remarks that could further heighten tensions in the region.
The claims come amid an ongoing crackdown by detectives in western Kenya targeting suspected criminal gangs, with at least 20 suspects reportedly arrested and awaiting arraignment.
Orengo, a Senior Counsel, framed the dispute within constitutional limits on policing authority, asserting that while the Executive sets policy, operational control rests with the police service. He called on Inspector General Douglas Kanja to “reclaim his mandate,” warning that executive overreach risks eroding the rule of law.
Kenya’s policing framework is governed by the Constitution of Kenya 2010, which guarantees the independence of the National Police Service under Article 245, shielding it from improper direction in operational matters.
