Babu Owino Charged with Subversion, Could Face Seven Years in Prison

Embakasi East MP Paul Ongili, well known as Babu Owino, was on Tuesday morning charged with two counts of subversion and making abusive remarks against President Uhuru Kenyatta.

Appearing before a judge at Milimani law courts, the prosecution requested the court to deny bail to the MP. Prosecution lawyer Nicholas Mutuku said the MP has four previous charges of similar nature and the gravity of the offence Owino faces is a compelling reason not to grant him bail.

Another prosecuter Catherine Mwaniki, told the Chief Magistrate Francis Andayi that the MP is an influential person and might interfere with witnesses if released and that tracing him might be difficult since he has no fixed home.

In reply, Owino's lawyer James Orengo urged the court to look at the evidence before him and not what the prosecutions imagines, adding that the charges are defective. He said presidency is not a public officer and amorphous, and can run into scores of people.

The MP was taken in by police officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations on Monday a day after he made the derogatory sentiments reportedly targeting President Uhuru Kenyatta during an opposition rally in Nairobi's Kawangware area.

If found guilty, the former Students' Organisation of Nairobi University (SONU) leader could face 7 years in prison.