Claims of political tension and alleged violence emerged over the weekend after Embakasi East Member of Parliament Babu Owino spoke publicly about an incident he said occurred at Kisumu International Airport.
The lawmaker accused Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo of sponsoring a group that he alleged was mobilised to attack him and Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna.
Owino made the remarks while appearing on Sunday Live, which airs on Citizen TV. He said the two leaders were travelling through Kisumu on their way to Kakamega when the incident allegedly unfolded.
According to Owino, the group involved was large and prepared to cause disruption at the airport.
“We were supposed to go via Kisumu International Airport… yesterday, Raymond Omollo is the one who sponsored goons to access Kisumu International Airport, waiting for Babu Owino and Edwin Sifuna,” Owino said.
He further alleged that those involved were armed with crude weapons and that the aim was to block their travel.
The MP also claimed that the situation turned violent and resulted in a fatality. He linked the death to the alleged attackers and said the family of a man identified as George Olwandi had spoken to the media following the incident.
Owino did not provide further details but said the matter was serious and required accountability.
In his remarks, Owino said he contacted Omollo directly after the incident and accused him of trying to provoke clashes.
“I texted Raymond Omollo…,” Owino said, adding that he had cautioned the Principal Secretary against what he described as “immature” tactics.
He maintained that political differences should not be handled through intimidation or violence.
Owino also connected the airport incident to the earlier arrest of his brother-in-law, claiming the individual was later released and dropped in Machakos after public pressure mounted.
He suggested the events were linked and part of a pattern meant to intimidate him.
He went on to argue that unemployed young people were being used for political purposes, alleging they were paid to cause destruction.
He also raised questions about the use of tear gas during the chaos, “Where did these citizens get teargas from if it is not from the police?” He said such issues needed proper investigation to prevent further unrest.
