Githunguri Member of Parliament Gathoni Wamuchomba has come to Eambakasi East MP Babu Owino’s defence following an attack from Uganda President Yoweri Museveni.
Taking to her X account, the MP questioned why Museveni would use an international event’s platform to castigate a youthful parliamentarian.
Wamuchomba added that the youthful lawmaker has a bright political future in Kenya not in Uganda and that Museveni should not have attacked him.
“Why would a foreign president use an international presidential platform to castigate a young Kenyan parliamentarian? I saw leaders giggle as if he was making a ‘good’ joke. This was uncalled for. Hon Babu Owino has a future in Kenya not in Uganda. I stand with Babu,” MP Wamuchomba said.
Sifuna on Museveni’s attack
Apart from MP Wamuchomba, Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna also called out Museveni for using an international platform to attack Babu.
Objecting to the attack, Sifuna faulted Museveni for breaching the diplomatic protocol to address the issues he had with Babu.
He advised the 79-year-old president to use the proper channels to his issues and let the law take its cause.
“Whatever beef Museveni has with Babu Owino, I strongly object to the manner of his attack on a young Kenyan leader on our soil. Kenya is a country ruled by law and if there is any objectionable conduct on the part of Babu, there are diplomatic channels to convey that to Kenyan Authorities and let the law take its cause. But to use a Presidential Podium to make such grave accusations against a Kenyan is a NO!” Sifuna said.
Museveni’s accusation
On Tuesday, August 27, 2024, during the official launch of Raila Odinga’s bid for the African Union Commission (AUC) chairmanship, Museveni accused the vocal lawmaker of siding with his political opponents.
He further claimed that various intelligence reports had implicated Babu in efforts to oppose the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) and incite chaos in Uganda.
“I am a consumer of intelligence services, I always see intelligence service reports and some individuals in Raila Odinga’s group don’t know what they are doing,” Museveni said.
“There is a character named Babu Owino I always see him dealing with anti-NRM groups in Uganda, I have never accused him, but now I am accusing him.”
Museveni went on to reveal that, despite having this knowledge, he had refrained from accusing Babu until that moment.
Why would a foreign president use an international presidential platform to castigate a young Kenyan parliamentarian?
— Hon.Gathoni Wamuchomba, HSC, MP (@hon_wamuchomba) August 28, 2024
I saw leaders giggle as if he was making a ‘good’ joke …….
This was uncalled for.
Hon Babu Owino has a future in Kenya not in Uganda.
I stand with Babu .…
