‘President Suluhu owes me an apology’ – Babu Owino speaks up after being detained in Dar
Embakasi East MP Babu Owino has demanded an apology from Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu following his detention in Dar es Salaam.
In a social media post on Saturday, February 1, 2025, Babu recounted his ordeal at the Dar es Salaam airport, where he claimed Tanzanian authorities placed his name on Interpol’s Most Wanted list.
“So unfortunate how the Tanzania Government put me on the Most Wanted Interpol List. President Suluhu owes me an apology,” Babu Owino captioned a video from his past interview with the Kogis Corner channel, where he detailed the detention.
Babu’s account of his detention
Speaking to Kogis Corner, the Embakasi East MP recalled how an alert was triggered while his passport was being processed at immigration.
Babu expressed his frustration over being placed on Interpol’s wanted list, despite never having committed a crime.
“Ata juzi nilienda Tanzania, unajua venye nimefika Dar es Salaam airport kuweka passport yangu kukuwa cleared na immigration wakaandika hapo ‘Interpol Wanted List’. I could not be allowed to get inside Tanzania, Dar es Salaam. I was detained there for three hours that I am in the Interpol wanted list ya Tanzania. Nkasema ata hapa sijawai iba ata kuku, what is the problem?” he said.
Despite the incident, the outspoken lawmaker stated that he was unbothered by the blacklisting, insisting he had no reason to visit Tanzania.
“But do I need anything in Tanzania anyway? What do I need in Tanzania yenye siwezi pata Kenya? Kama hii Kenya ndo sijatembea hii nchi mzima?” Babu remarked.
Banned in Uganda
Babu Owino also recalled that he remains banned from Uganda and is prohibited from stepping foot in the country.
“Nkienda Uganda I am banned, I can’t step in Uganda,” he said.
The Ugandan government officially banned the Kenyan MP from entering the country in May 2019, declaring him persona non grata.
The decision stemmed from Babu Owino’s involvement in hosting Bobi Wine during his visit to Kenya, where the two are accused of making inflammatory and seditious remarks against Museveni’s rule.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs in Uganda at the time communicated Babu Owino’s ban.
“The purpose of this letter is to make it known that Honorable Babu Owino is officially declared as persona non grata within the borders of Uganda and will not be permitted entry without special clearance from the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
“During Bobi Wine’s visit to Kenya last month, Babu hosted Wine in a number of functions and events. The duo uttered inflammatory and seditious words against the democratic and legitimate rule of President Yoweri Museveni.”
Museveni slams Babu Owino
President Yoweri Museveni criticized Babu during a high-profile event at State House, Nairobi, on August 27, 2024, where Raila Odinga officially launched his bid for the African Union Commission (AUC) chairmanship.
Museveni, speaking at the event, did not mince words as he accused the firebrand lawmaker of being a nuisance to Uganda.
The 80-year-old autocrat claimed that various intelligence reports had implicated Babu Owino in efforts to oppose the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) and incite chaos in Uganda.
“I am a consumer of intelligence services, and some individuals in Raila Odinga’s group don’t know what they are doing,” Museveni remarked.
The octogenarian singled out the Embakasi East legislator, saying, “There is a character named Babu Owino who is involved with anti-NRM to incite chaos in Uganda.”
Museveni went on to reveal that, despite having this knowledge, he had refrained from accusing Babu until that moment.
“I have never accused him, but now I am accusing him,” Museveni asserted.
Babu Owino did not take these accusations lightly.
In a rebuttal, he expressed his gratitude to Museveni for supporting Raila’s AUC bid but maintained his commitment to advocating for the greater good in both Kenya and Uganda.
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Martin Oduor
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