Embakasi East MP Babu Owino has accused Kileleshwa MCA Robert Alai of physically attacking him with a gun at a Kilimani restaurant, describing the incident as an unprovoked assault and a direct threat to his life amid rising political tensions.
In a statement on Sunday, Owino alleged the confrontation began after he arrived at the venue for a meeting with a senior clergyman.
“Yesterday afternoon, a friend of mine who is a senior clergyman invited me for a meeting at a popular restaurant along Lenana Road in the Kilimani area. Having released my security detail for the Christmas holidays, I drove myself to the venue and arrived at approximately 3:40 pm. We held our discussions for about 20 minutes, after which I stood up to leave,” Owino said.
He recalled noticing a group of people he knew seated at an adjacent table and approaching them out of courtesy, including Alai.
However, Owino claimed, “Without provocation, he accused me of being behind alleged social media attacks on his wife. I calmly explained that I do not know his wife, that she has never wronged me in any way, and that I have no reason whatsoever to involve innocent family members in politics,” he said.
The MP added, “It is not my style to advance my politics by attacking women. I hold out respected ladies in the highest regard. I further pointed out that I do not even engage him personally, and therefore could not have engaged his wife.”
He alleged that Alai then became aggressive, physically pushing him and brandishing a pistol. According to the MP, Alai struck him on the chest and jaw in full view of other patrons
“He pushed me, drew a pistol, and struck me on the chest and jaw with it, all in full view of patrons at the establishment. I stood my ground and urged him to calm down, asking him to explain what wrong I had committed to warrant such a violent reaction. He appeared to cool down, and we briefly sat, with another person positioning himself between us,” he said.
He said the situation escalated when Alai poured water on him in front of other patrons, attracting a crowd unsettled by the incident. To avoid a physical confrontation, Owino left the restaurant and reported the matter at Kilimani Police Station.
“Moments later, he again turned hostile, picked a glass of water from the table, and poured it on my face. By then, a crowd had gathered, disturbed by his conduct. Upon witnessing this escalation of affairs, and wishing to avoid any physical confrontation, I then immediately left the premises and proceeded to Kilimani Police Station, where I reported the matter,” Owino said.
The MP called on authorities to take action, describing the incident as part of a continuing pattern of harassment.
“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. I hereby call upon the relevant authorities to conduct a thorough investigation and take appropriate action in accordance with the law,” he said.
Owino linked the attack to earlier threats following the funeral of the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
“This forms a clear pattern of physical harassment, threats and attacks that began upon the demise of our beloved Baba. Kenyans will recall that goons were organised by the Government to attack me during that burial in Siaya – a threat that I braved due to the love I had for Baba,” he added.
He urged fellow leaders to act responsibly.
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