MP Babu Owino alleges intimidation after Kakamega DCI summons

Embakasi East Member of Parliament Babu Owino is now accusing investigative authorities of intimidation, following what he claims are attempts to summon him for questioning in Kakamega over recent political activities.

In a letter dated March 17 and addressed to the Western Regional Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) office, Owino alleges that junior officers acting on instructions had sought to compel his appearance for interrogation.

While acknowledging what he termed as the “pressure” that officers may be facing from their superiors, the legislator cautioned them to remain faithful to their constitutional mandate.

“I advise that your focus should be on preserving the oath of office you took, which binds you to the rule of law,” Owino wrote.

The MP questioned the decision to summon him to Kakamega, terming it a calculated move to intimidate and silence dissent.

“It is my view that the choice of Kakamega as the venue of torture is not only meant to intimidate and blackmail me, but is a testament to the regime’s determination to suppress the voice of the people,” he stated.

Owino further argued that any legal proceedings against him should be conducted in Nairobi, unless there exists a legally recognized forum in Kakamega with jurisdiction over the matter.

The vocal lawmaker also challenged investigators to interpret the implications of a Court of Appeal ruling - Civil Appeal No. 197 of 2020 - on the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act.

The ruling addressed contentious provisions of the law, which critics have long argued could be used to stifle free expression.

Owino urged the DCI to reflect on the “jurisprudential impact” of the judgement, particularly in relation to what he described as efforts to “pursue and contain progressive forces within a suffocated democracy.”

Addressing the Western Regional DCI boss directly, Owino rejected the notion that senior officers should act merely as conduits of orders, emphasizing the weight of public trust attached to their offices.

“As a man entrusted with the Western region as the Regional County investigations Officer, I refuse to believe that you are merely a conveyor belt. You hold an office of public trust on behalf of the people of Kenya. The power and privilege that come with this office should not blind you,” he said.

“As Simon Well said, instruments of power — arms, gold, machines, magical or technical secrets — always exist independently of him who disposes of them, and can be taken up by others. Consequently, all power is unstable.”