Embakasi East MP Babu Owino has been accused of threatening a Kenyan journalist for apparently being anti-Raila Odinga.
According to the senior journalist, Muraya Kariuki, the threat was made through a phone call by a man who identified himself as Babu Owino.
“I just received a very nasty phone call from a person who introduced themselves as (Embakasi East MP) Babu Owino on +254 711 1113..,
This has to do with the work I do. It is not good manners to try to scare lowly journalists. Tunaomba tufanye kazi kwa Amani (Allow us to work in peace),” he wrote in a tweet.
The journalist further shared a message that he allegedly received from the Embakasi East MP, warning him against being anti-Raila Odinga.
“You can enjoy your small cheo(position). You will take responsibility for the negative news you choose to air against Baba (Raila Odinga). We have proven beyond venture that you are on DP’s (William Ruto’s) payroll,” read the message from Babu.
Before the threatening message, the Embakasi East MP had apparently publicly accused the journalist, albeit indirectly, of being paid by William Ruto’s Tanga Tanga camp to tarnish the name of Citizen TV, (by being anti-Raila Odinga)
“One mongrel with a bird’s brain holding diploma in Journalism who is paid by DP to mess and/or soil the otherwise good name of Citizen Tv is Muraya Kariuki. Rotten to the core,” he wrote in a tweet without mentioning names.
Babu Owino is a staunch supporter of Raila Odinga. He is on record for hurling unprintable insults to anyone who opposes Raila, including President Uhuru.
The development comes a day after politicians allied to Deputy President William Ruto called on Kenyans to boycott Citizen TV for negative coverage.
This is after a report the channel aired a story of Ruto’s motorcade being confronted by rowdy youths in Naru Moru while he was on his way to Nyeri.
The attack on the media station has attracted the attention of the media Council of Kenya, which warned politicians against threatening media freedom.
