Embakasi East MP Babu Owino has expressed alarm over his brother-in-law’s abduction by DCI officers, which occurred just hours before important opposition rallies. In a video posted online, Owino shared how Geoffrey Ajiki called him around 4 p.m., saying he had been arrested and was heading to Nairobi Area Police Headquarters.
When Owino got there, Ajiki was nowhere to be found. His phone went dead. Owino demanded answers right away. He wants Ajiki freed or brought to court if there’s any charge. This comes at a tense time with the Linda Mwananchi Tour set to hit Kakamega soon. People are talking about it as a way to silence critics of President William Ruto’s government.
Owino did not hold back in his message. He pointed fingers at Raymond Omolo, saying these rallies are too big to stop. “Release my brother-in-law whom you have abducted this afternoon using DCI officers,” he said in the clip. Supporters jumped in quick.
They shared Ajiki’s photos all over social media with tags like #FreeAjiki. One post even named an officer, Paul Ng’endo, as the one behind it. It’s got everyone wondering if this is tied to the pushback against Ruto’s policies on the economy and rights.
Let’s step back a bit. Babu Owino is no stranger to the spotlight. Born Paul Ongili Owino in 1989 in Kisumu, he made his name leading student protests at the University of Nairobi. He revived activism there as SONU chair from 2011. That fire carried him into politics.
He joined ODM and won the Embakasi East seat in 2017 and then again in 2022. He’s a lawyer and actuary too, but his real mark is in the streets. Just yesterday, he called himself the “king of protests”. He said no big demo in Nairobi happens without him involved. And he’s got the scars to show it.
But Owino’s path has bumps. Back in 2020, he shot a DJ named Felix Orinda in a club fight. Claimed it was self-defence, but he faced attempted murder charges. They settled out of court, with Owino paying bills and more.
There were other run-ins too, like assault claims and hate speech arrests. In 2017, he insulted then-President Uhuru Kenyatta. Another time, he fought a fellow MP in parliament. Critics say he acts tough, but supporters see him as a fighter for the little guy.
Now, this abduction claim fits into a bigger picture. ODM is splitting apart after Raila Odinga’s death last year. One side wants to work with Ruto for a united government. The other, led by folks like Owino and Edwin Sifuna, says no way. They want to stay in opposition and call out issues like high living costs and bad governance.
The Linda Mwananchi rallies are their way to rally people. They started in Busia, then Kitengela, where things got rough. Police used tear gas, and one person died. Owino blamed it on efforts to shut them down. Kakamega is next, in the Luhya area, a big voting bloc for 2027.
Ajiki’s case adds fuel. Posts show his face, a man in his prime, smiling in old photos from events like a wedding. Supporters say this is intimidation pure and simple.
“This is an attempt to scare and attack Babu Owino ahead of the Kakamega rally,” one user wrote. Others link it to broader fears. Kenya has seen abductions before, especially around protests. Groups like Amnesty have called out forced disappearances tied to politics.
Authorities stay quiet so far. No word from DCI or police on Ajiki. Owino went to the HQ himself, searching rooms, but nothing. He named the officer in his video, pushing for quick action. If Ajiki shows up in court, what charges? No one knows. Some online jokes are all staged for sympathy, but most see it as real pressure on opposition voices.
This story ties into economic woes hitting Kenyans hard. High prices, job losses, and debates over taxes. Owino’s group hits on that, saying Ruto’s team ignores it. Ruto hosted leaders from Kakamega recently, maybe to counter the rally buzz. It’s like a chess game, with 2027 elections looming.
Owino wants ODM to hold a big meeting to sort leadership. He eyes a top spot, maybe to keep the party fighting. With Raila gone, it’s anyone’s game. Oburu Oginga leads the pro-Ruto side, planning their own event in Siaya on the same day as Kakamega.
What happens next? Will Ajiki turn up safe? Or does this spark more clashes? Social media is lit with #FreeAjiki trending. Young people, hit hardest by the economy, back Owino. Videos show crowds chanting at past rallies. One recent clip from Kitengela has Owino firing up folks despite the chaos.
Kenya’s politics heats up again. Owino stands firm, saying they won’t back down. “Kakamega, we are coming. “You will not stifle our voices,” a supporter posted. As night falls in Nairobi, questions linger. Families worry, and the nation watches. This could shift how people see the government and opposition. For now, calls for Ajiki’s release grow louder.
