Embakasi East Member of Parliament (MP) Paul Ongili, popularly known as Babu Owino, has accused the government of orchestrating a political witch hunt against him due to his growing popularity.

Speaking during a live session on Thursday, March 27, 2025, Babu Owino claimed that the state had repeatedly tried to persuade him to align with the government, but he has consistently refused.

He maintained that his loyalty remains with Kenyans, not the government of the day.

“I want to talk about the witch hunt that is coming from the government of the day. The state has realised that our popularity has really grown and that they want to manage and dwarf this popularity. They have approached Babu Owino on several occasions so that Babu can work with the government. Babu has refused and has said clearly that he wants to work for Kenyans,” Babu Owino said

The vocal legislator attributed his criticism of the government to its failure to fulfil the promises made to Kenyans during the campaign period.

“Why do we oppose the government? Why do we keep checks on the government? It is because the government has not shown any effort to solve this issue of concern that I am raising,” he said.

“If the government were offering services to citizens, services that were promised during the campaign periods, and if they were working, if the cost of living were reduced, if taxes were reduced, if there were jobs for Kenyan citizens, and if the health sector were working, if the education sector were working, then Babu Owino would not have any business opposing the government.”

Babu on intimidation

Babu further stated that a high-level meeting was recently held to discuss ways to “manage” him.

According to him, some participants suggested bribing him into submission, while others proposed using the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) to taint his reputation.

“And therefore, because of that reason, there was a meeting that was held last week; a meeting that involved serious stakeholders of this country, and they were asking how Babu Owino can be managed. Some proposed that Babu Owino should be approached, bought, or bribed so that he can support the government; some came up with the idea that Babu Owino should be dealt with and that they should send the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission to our offices to come and dismerge the good name of Babu Owino,” he added.

“I was reliably informed that this week EACC was to come visit us at our offices in Donholm; if not this week, then next week or any other time, and the intention is very clear: we need to put Babu down; we need to tell the public that there are corruption allegations in the Embakasi East office.”

Babu questioned why the government would use the EACC to target him despite a recent Auditor General’s report clearing his constituency.

He warned the EACC against being used as a political tool, urging the agency to remain independent and focus on its mandate.

“The auditor general put out a report of all the constituencies in this country, and the auditor general can not be bribed. Why does the government want to use EACC to come and intimidate Babu Owino? I want to tell EACC not to get involved in this politics,” Babu said.

Babu Owino vowed to continue holding the government accountable.