How supporters thwarted police bid to re-arrest Babu Owino – VIDEO
Supporters of Embakasi East Paul Ongili on Thursday successfully frustrated efforts by police to re-arrest the young MP, the third time in a week, at the Kibera law courts.
The rowdy supporters together with ODM MPs formed a human shield around Mr Ongili, popularly known as Babu Owino, as he processed his bail in open court.
Not even a teargas canisters lobbed outside the courtroom broke their resolve to secure the first time legislator.
They then escorted Babu Owino out of the court’s premises as police watched.
“We want Babu, hatutaki teargas,” they cried each time police tried to disperse them.
JAMMED COURTROOM
They had jammed the courtroom since morning and stayed put until he was released on bond after 4pm.
His lawyers had requested that the bond to be processed in open court, apprehensive that police were waiting to pounce on him.
The request was granted and Babu’s supporters surrounded him, rejoicing with song and dance as his handlers paid Sh200,000 cash.
Efforts by the police to reach him in the dock were thwarted by his supporters.
After the bail was paid, MPs Ken Okoth, Otiende Amollo, Millie Odhiambo, James Orengo and a host of lawyers formed a ring around him and with supporters in tow left the courtroom and walked towards Ayany Estate.
Babu Owino was first arrested on Monday for allegedly hurling insults at President Uhuru Kenyatta.
On Thursday, he was charged with attacking and causing grievous harm to Mr Joshua Otieno Obiende, a former Embakasi East parliamentary aspirant on an Amani National Congress ticket.
According to the charge sheet, he allegedly committed the offence at Soweto Social Hall polling station on August 8 with other people who were not in court.
In second count, he was accused of preventing Mr Otieno from casting his ballot contrary to Elections Act.
INTIMIDATE WITNESSES
Mr Owino denied both charges and applied to be freed on bail, a request the prosecution opposed stating that he was a person of influence and would intimidate and coerce witness.
Mr Mutuku told the court that the accused is being investigated by the Ethics and Anti- Corruption Commission over integrity related allegations.
“The DPP has written to the EACC to investigate the conduct of the accused under chapter six of the leadership act,” Mr Mutuku said.
But Mr Owino’s lawyers led by Mr Otiende Amollo, Nelson Havi, Edwin Sifuna and James Orengo told the court that Mr Owino was a victim of state initiated persecution.
“This case is actually linked to a petition the complainant is part of challenging the win of Babu Owino,” Mr Amollo submitted.
He said the aim was to subject the MP with a litany of cases and arrests so that he can fail to respond to the petition and lose his seat.
“We have information that they want to abuse the legal process to torture the accused,” Mr Amollo added.
SHED TEARS
At one time during the proceedings, the legislator almost shed tears as he pleaded with the magistrate to release him on bond, claiming he was tortured at Pangani Polices Station cells.
He said police jammed the cells with street children to harass him through the night.