Embakasi East Member of Parliament (MP) Babu Owino has ignited a charged political atmosphere in Kitengela after declaring that protests have historically shaped Kenya’s political trajectory and could ultimately remove President William Ruto from power.

Speaking on Sunday, February 15, 2026, during the Linda Mwananchi rally in Kitengela led by Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, Siaya Governor James Orengo, and Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi, among other Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party rebels, Babu Owino posed a series of rhetorical questions to the crowd, linking major political milestones to public demonstrations.

The vocal lawmaker pushed back against the Kenya Kwanza administration’s opposition to the demonstrations, highlighting Kenya’s new constitution, multipartism, and victory against colonialism as some of the fruits of protests.

“Kila siku wanatuambia yakwamba hawataki maandamano,” Owino said. “Niwaulize vijana, ni nini ilitoa wazungu Kenya? Nini ilileta multipartism? Nini ilitupatia katiba mpya?” Babu Owino said.

Raila-Ruto deal

He also noted that President William Ruto had reached out to the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga to strike a deal as a result of the protests.

Babu Owino also noted that National Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi, his energy counterpart Opiyo Wandayi, and Cooperatives and MSMEs CS Wycliffe Oparanya had all earned their positions in government as a result of the protests.

“Nini ilifanya Ruto atafute Raila? Nini ilipatia Mbadi kazi? Nini ilipatia Wandayi kazi? Nini ilipatia Oparanya kazi? Nini itatoa Ruto State House?” Babu Owino questioned.

Babu Owinoi: Wanasema hawataki maandamano nini ilifanya Ruto akatafuta Raila? Nini itatoa Ruto Statehouse?#K24Updates pic.twitter.com/4vzMnzkYGK

— K24TV (@K24Tv) February 15, 2026

Babu Owino defends protests

Babu Owino had previously defended public protests as a key driver of political and social change in Kenya, saying attempts to discourage demonstrations ignore the country’s own history.

Babu Owino spoke in Kawangware, Dagoretti North, during the Linda Wananchi Tour on Sunday, January 25, 2026, where opposition leaders met residents to discuss the high cost of living, governance, and shrinking democratic space.

He said many Kenyans are facing serious hardships, yet leaders in power are quick to dismiss protests rather than listen to public concerns. He questioned why citizens are being told not to demonstrate when their basic needs remain unmet.

“Kuna shida mingi hapa nchini, kisha wanatuambia hakuna maandamano. Wakituambie tupiganie haki yetu wanasema raundi hii hakuna maandamo,” he stated.