Africa-Press – Kenya. ODM Members of Parliament have called for a thorough and impartial investigation into an incident involving Embakasi East MP Babu Owino and Kileleshwa MCA Robert Alai, following reports of a confrontation in Nairobi.
Security agencies are investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident, which was reported to have occurred at a hotel in the Kilimani area on Saturday night.
While ODM lawmakers said the matter should be handled strictly as a police issue rather than a party affair, the incident has attracted attention due to the public profiles of the two leaders.
In public statements, ODM leaders avoided assigning blame, insisting that all claims and counterclaims should be subjected to due process and established through investigations.
Owino has linked the incident to his political positions, particularly his opposition to any political accommodation between ODM and President William Ruto ahead of the 2027 General Election.
In a statement issued after the incident, the MP said he believed the confrontation was politically motivated.
“I take this incident very seriously. It was an unprovoked attack on my person, motivated by my political stand, and constituted a clear threat to my life,” Owino said.
ODM legislators, however, distanced the party from the claims, emphasising that the matter remains under investigation and that any conclusions should be left to law enforcement agencies.
Speaking on behalf of the MPs, Rarieda MP Otiende Amollo said authorities should conduct an exhaustive and impartial probe.
“We have been informed of an incident in which Kileleshwa MCA Robert Alai is alleged to have attacked and threatened Embakasi East MP Babu Owino following differences over political views,” Otiende said, adding that the claims should be independently investigated.
He cited recent incidents of political violence witnessed during by-elections, including in Kasipul constituency, warning that failure to address such cases could affect future elections.
National Assembly Minority Leader Millie Odhiambo called for calm and restraint, urging security agencies to handle the matter professionally.
Nairobi Woman Representative Esther Passaris also called on the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to investigate the incident and take appropriate action based on the findings.
Both Owino and Alai have given differing accounts of what transpired during the reported confrontation.
Alai has denied claims that he drew a firearm during the encounter. In his account, he said the two leaders were seated at separate tables when Owino approached him and attempted to initiate a conversation.
According to Alai, he informed the MP that he was not interested in engaging in political discussions and asked him to leave after the interaction became uncomfortable.
“I told him that I’m not comfortable greeting him. He started pushing my head and making statements I did not agree with,” Alai said.
The MCA acknowledged that he was carrying a firearm at the time but denied drawing it or threatening Owino.
“There was a gun on my waist, but I did not draw it,” he said, adding that any available video footage should be reviewed by investigators.
Owino, however, gave a different version of events. He said he had been invited to a private meeting by a senior clergyman at a restaurant along Lenana Road in Kilimani.
As he was leaving the establishment, Owino said he noticed individuals he knew seated nearby, including Alai, and approached them to exchange greetings.
According to the MP, the situation escalated after Alai accused him of orchestrating online attacks against Alai’s wife, an allegation Owino denied.
Owino said he has no personal relationship with Alai’s wife and does not involve family members in political disagreements.
On January 4, Kilimani OCPD Patricia Yegon confirmed that both the MP and the MCA had recorded statements with the police and that investigations were ongoing.
“We are currently reviewing CCTV footage from the scene and recording statements as investigations continue,” Yegon said.
ODM leaders reiterated their call for calm as investigations proceed, saying the party will respect the outcome of the police inquiry.
