Babu calls for release of budget protestors

Embakasi East MP Babu Owino yesterday called for the immediate release of peaceful protesters who were arrested by police within Nairobi’s Central Business District for picketing during the tabling of the Finance Bill in Parliament.

In a scathing attack on government policies, Owino criticized the government’s recent initiatives, accusing it of misusing funds and imposing burdensome levies on Kenyans.

“The national government has no business collecting money for building houses,” Owino declared, labeling the initiative as a “political slush fund” aimed at financing President Ruto’s re-election campaign and his Sh200 million private jet.

Owino’s remarks come in the wake of the newly introduced eco levy on imported finished products, which he argued would disproportionately affect ordinary Kenyans. “This levy places an undue burden on citizens who rely on these products in their daily lives,” he said.

He emphasized that locally manufactured products are not yet able to meet the demand in terms of both quality and quantity, suggesting that the eco levy will fail to achieve its intended benefits.