Two Abducted Brothers Found in Gachie, Police Still Silent on Missing Activist

A tense situation has erupted at Wang'uru police station in Mwea, as family and friends of Embakasi East MP, Babu Owino, demand to see him, claiming he is being unlawfully held at the station. Fridah Ongili, Babu Owino's wife, revealed that she had been allowed to visit him early Thursday morning and expressed concern over his frail and unwell appearance. She asserted that he hasn't eaten anything and is physically weak, urging for his immediate and unconditional release as he has been detained without any valid reasons for over 24 hours.

Lawyer Ndegwa Njiru, who was present with the family, was forcefully ejected from the police station by anti-riot officers after they were called in to disperse them from the Wang'uru police station compound.The family members were subsequently removed and locked outside the gate, while the police cordoned off the area.

Reports indicate that Babu Owino was arrested at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport by Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) officers upon his return to Nairobi from Mombasa. His alleged arrest coincided with the ongoing anti-government protests sanctioned by the Azimio la Umoja coalition.

Babu Owino's wife shared that the MP had contacted her on Tuesday, July 18, around 11 pm, to inform her about his detention by the DCI. However, she has been unable to reach him since then, as his phone has been switched off.

During the Wednesday protests, the Interior Minister, Kithure Kindiki, reported that more than 300 demonstrators were arrested in various counties. They will face charges related to different offenses, such as looting, malicious damage of property, arson, violent theft, and assaulting law enforcement officers, among other crimes. In a statement released on Wednesday night, the CS asserted that the police displayed professionalism during the events on July 19.

According to the Interior Cabinet Secretary, the recent protests in Kenya were handled adeptly, with limitations, given the challenging circumstances that arose throughout the day. It is believed that his assertion is accurate.

Except for isolated incidents of hooliganism and disruptions in some areas like Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Migori, Homabay, Siaya, and Nakuru Regions, as well as Wote and Emali Towns, the rest of the country remained peaceful, and citizens continued with their daily activities as usual.

The security agencies successfully restored calm, and the Cabinet Secretary encouraged Kenyans to resume their day-to-day routines.

Nevertheless, the Azimio alliance contends that Wednesday's protests were a triumph, and they are calling on their supporters to participate in further demonstrations on Thursday.