Babu Owino claims goons being organised by govt during political rallies
By Francis Muli, February 22, 2026Embakasi East MP Babu Owino has accused the government of organising and sponsoring goons to disrupt political activities.
Speaking to a local TV station on Sunday, February 22, 2026, Owino dared Interior PS Dr Raymond Omollo to take him to court over the claims, saying he is ready to cross-examine him over the matter.
Owino alleged that individuals hired to cause violence had personally informed him of the plot.
“Goons are being organised by the government. I am an advocate of the High Court, and I am ready to defend myself in court. I want to cross-examine the PS Interior. I want him to go to court,” he said.
The legislator further claimed that some of the individuals hired to attack him had confessed of their mission.
“The people who were hired to cause violence themselves spoke to me… telling me that we were told to come and stone and cut you into pieces,” he alleged.
Owino also accused the Interior Ministry of misusing police officers for political purposes, claiming some officers had privately expressed frustration.
“Even the police officers in Kisumu are confessing that they are tired… that the PS is using and misusing them,” he said.
“When you have a cause and a vision, nothing can worry you — goons, teargas, police, government… We must go on the ground to ensure that we fight for the interests of Kenyans,” he stated.
He further linked what he termed rising “goonism” to unfulfilled economic promises, saying frustration among citizens was fueling unrest.
This comes amid raising tensions in the country, following cases of violence witnessed in the country that hae sometimes turned lethal.
DCI investigates
According to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), on February 21, 2026, during a political rally in Mbale Town, Vihiga County, there was mob violence resulting in the death of George Olande Otobe, aka Omundu.
According to DCI’s preliminary investigations, Otobe stabbed Hussein Hassan in the head after an altercation, provoking bystanders to retaliate against Otobe, which ultimately resulted in his death.
“This tragic event unfolded in the vicinity of the Linda Mwananchi rally that was held in Kakamega on the same day,” DCI stated.
“While the Constitution of Kenya guarantees every person the right, peaceably and unarmed, to assemble, to demonstrate, to picket, and to present petitions to public authorities under Article 37, this right is explicitly conditioned on participants remaining peaceful and unarmed. The DCI reiterates that although citizens have the right of assembly, they can only exercise it peaceably and unarmed, as clearly provided in the Constitution.”
Contrary to Owino’s claims, DCI says that organisers of the Linda Mwananchi rally had armed their supporters, contrary to the constitutional requirement and principles of peaceful assembly.
“The DCI firmly insists that organisers of all political rallies and public gatherings must ensure their supporters remain unarmed and conduct proceedings in a peaceful manner to prevent escalation into violence. Failure to uphold this obligation contributes to breaches of public order and endangers lives,” DCI stated.
DCI says investigations into the incident have commenced in earnest, and all those found culpable, whether for the mob injustice or any related offences, including arming supporters, will be dealt with.