Babu Owino has accused Kileleshwa MCA Robert Alai of pulling a gun on him during a confrontation at a restaurant in Kilimani, Nairobi. The Embakasi East MP says the incident happened on Saturday afternoon, January 3, 2026, and he views it as a serious threat to his life.
Owino was at Cedars Lebanese Restaurant along Lenana Road for a private lunch meeting with a senior clergyman. He drove himself since he had given his security detail time off for the holidays. The meeting lasted about 20 minutes. As he got up to leave, he spotted Alai at a nearby table with others.
Out of courtesy, Owino approached to greet them. That’s when things turned heated. Alai accused him of being behind recent social media attacks on his wife, posted by blogger Maverick Aoko. Owino denied it, saying he doesn’t know Alai’s wife and has no reason to target family members in politics.
The argument escalated quickly. Owino claims Alai pushed him, drew a pistol, and hit him on the chest and jaw with it. Later, Alai allegedly poured water on his face as a crowd gathered. A senior DCI officer, who was at the restaurant, stepped in and disarmed Alai, according to some reports.
Owino left right away and went to Kilimani Police Station to report the matter. Police confirmed they received the complaint but gave no more details yet.
Alai has not commented directly on the gun claims. He posted calm messages online on Sunday, like one saying he prayed for everyone involved.
The two politicians are both from the Luo community and in ODM, but they’ve clashed online before. Recent posts by Maverick Aoko targeting Alai’s wife seem to have sparked the anger.
Witnesses described a shouting match that scared other customers. One account said Alai tried to pull the trigger several times, but the gun jammed before the officer took it.
The incident adds tension to Nairobi politics. Both men are known for strong opinions on social media. Owino has faced firearm cases in the past, though they were dropped.
People online reacted fast. Some support Owino and call for quick police action. Others wait for Alai’s side or a full investigation.
Kilimani is an upscale area with popular spots like Cedars, known for Lebanese food. Incidents like this are rare there. Security officials might look into licensed guns for politicians. No arrests reported so far.
Owino asked for a thorough probe in his statement. He said such threats won’t stop him from his work.
As of January 4, the story keeps developing. Police may release more soon. Political rivals meeting by chance can lead to surprises. Here, it turned serious fast. Fans of both sides watch closely. Many hope it stays verbal from now on.
