Babu Owino condemns infiltration of protests by goons
Embakasi East Member of Parliament Babu Owino has condemned the infiltration by goons of protests over the killing of blogger and teacher Albert Ojwang.
In a statement on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, the legislator called for the authorities to take stern action against the goons, noting that they were criminals out to curtail the rights and freedoms of otherwise peaceful protestors.
“I am deeply outraged by the senseless violence we are witnessing. The recent attacks on innocent people by goons are not just cowardly; they are a direct assault on the values we hold dear as a society; the value of peace, dignity and justice,” Owino said.
Goons are not heroes
“These goons and thugs are not heroes; they are criminals and must be treated as such. We cannot and will not remain silent when our fellow citizens are beaten, harassed and intimidated.”
Owino also called for the prosecution of the goons and their sponsors, observing that he would continue to stand up for victims of injustice.
“It is our moral duty to speak up, demand accountability and to ensure that those responsible are brought to book,” he stated.
“To the victims and their families, you are not alone. We see you, we stand by you, and we shall continue to fight for a society where everyone can live without fear regardless of their background, beliefs and opinions.”
Protesters who had gathered in Nairobi’s Central Business District (CBD) were treated to a scene of running battles, both from police officers and groups of individuals who appeared to be organised.
The goons arrived in dozens of motorbikes with at least two pillion passengers and were armed with whips and batons.
Robbing members of public
They disrupted the demonstrators’ processions, causing chaos. A section of the goons were caught on camera looting shops and robbing members of the public going about their businesses in the city.
Similarly, a few of the goons were equally injured by the protesters, who faced a double threat from police officers sent to restore order and the baton-wielding goons.
During the confrontations, a police officer was caught on camera when he shot a face mask seller at close range.
The incident drew widespread condemnation from Kenyans and was followed by a statement from the National Police Service Spokesperson, Muchiri Nyaga, confirming that the officer had been arrested and disarmed.
The incident comes just a day after the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Eliud Lagat, stepped aside to allow for investigations into Ojwang’s murder, after he was adversely mentioned in the case.
