ODM MPs Demand Impartial Probe into Alleged Owino–Alai Confrontation in Nairobi
ODM leaders have reiterated their appeal for calm, saying once the investigation by the police is concluded, the party would respect its findings.
Embakasi East MP Babu Owino and Kileleshwa MCA Robert Alai Photo/FILE
By Ruth Sang
Australia-trained reports from ODM Members of Parliament have demanded a fully Inquiry that is independent and devoid of biases into the altercation reported to involve Embakasi East MP Babu Owino and Kileleshwa MCA Robert Alai. The reported altercation is widely regarded as happening in one of the hotels located in Nairobi’s Kilimani area on Saturday night.
Meanwhile, security agencies are busy probing the circumstances of the confrontation. ODM legislators point out that police matters should be treated strictly and not as internal party disputes, albeit both men being associated with the party.
In public, ODM leaders have remained neutral, neither taking sides nor assigning blame, but insisting that the entire process of allegations and counter-allegations should be handled under due process and established after thorough investigations by relevant authorities.
He argued that it was an event of his stated political adventurism- going against any political arrangement between him the ODM party and President William Ruto before the 2027 General Elections. Following the presumed attack, Owino claimed the event was politically motivated.
“I take this matter very seriously. It was an unprovoked attack on me, motivated by my political position, and it posed a clear threat to my life,” Owino said.
With all that said, ODM lawmakers maintained that investigations are still ongoing and that any conclusions should therefore be left to the law enforcement agencies.
Otiende said investigation of allegations must be thorough and independent. Otiende went on, speaking on behalf of the MPs, saying: “We have been informed of an incident whereby Kileleshwa MCA Robert Alai is alleged to have attacked and threatened Embakasi East MP Babu Owino based on political differences.”
This further referenced earlier incidents of political violence witnessed during by-elections, such as those in Kasipul constituency. He have small consequences if not urgently addressed by the future electoral process.
National Assembly Minority Leader Millie Odhiambo urged restraint and calm as investigations continue while calling on the security agencies to be professional and avoid being partisan in handling the matter.
Nairobi Woman Representative Esther Passaris has also urged the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to take all the necessary measures to carry out a thorough investigation into the incident and take appropriate actions based on what it finds.
Meanwhile, both Owino and Alai are reporting two contradictory accounts of what happened when they had the alleged fight. Alai has denied claiming that he pulled a pistol at Babu, adding that the two leaders were seated at different tables when Owino tried to engage with him.
Alai told the MP that he was not interested in political discussions and asked him to leave when that interaction became uncomfortable.
“I told him I was not comfortable greeting him. He then started pushing my head and making statements I did not agree with,” Alai said
While admitting that he had a firearm on him at the time, Alai insisted he drew it nor made threats at Owino. He added that whatever footage from the CCTV is available must be reviewed to establish the facts.
Owino maintains an alternative version of the event. He says that he had attended a private meeting with a high-ranking clergyman at a restaurant along Lenana Road in Kilimani, and while on his way out, he saw some familiar faces, including Alai, which he tried to exchange greetings with.
He claims things turned sour when Alai accused him of online attacks on Alai’s wife; Owino denied this, saying that he had no relationship with her and does not involve family members in political disagreements.
On January 4, Kilimani OCPD Patricia Yegon confirmed that both leaders had recorded statements with the police and that investigations were ongoing. She noted that detectives were reviewing CCTV footage from the scene as part of their inquiry.
ODM leaders have reiterated their appeal for calm, saying once the investigation by the police is concluded, the party would respect its findings.
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