Political debate in Kenya has recently been accompanied by rising tension and strong accusations among leaders, with some warning that the situation could create unnecessary fear and division.
One of the latest claims has come from Richard Onyonka, the Senator for Kisii County, who spoke about a disturbing incident he says happened in Kisumu involving his vehicle and a group of people who allegedly thought they were targeting another politician.
According to Onyonka, the situation unfolded when his car was attacked by individuals who believed it belonged to Babu Owino, the Member of Parliament for Embakasi East.
The senator explained that his white vehicle was mistaken for the MP’s car, leading the group to throw stones at it.
He said the people involved appeared to believe the car was carrying Owino and that their intention may have been to harm the Nairobi legislator.
The Kisii senator shared these details during an interview on a local television station on Wednesday, March 4, 2026. While recounting the experience, Onyonka said the attack surprised him because he was not the person the group was allegedly looking for.
He suggested that the individuals involved were specifically targeting Owino, raising concerns about safety for political leaders.
“I was stoned in Kisumu the other day; they thought my car was white like Babu Owino’s. They want to kill Babu. Why would anybody want to kill Babu?” Onyonka said during the interview.
The senator also took time to defend the Embakasi East MP. Although Owino is known for being outspoken in political debates, Onyonka said he has not personally seen him engage in violent behaviour.
He described the Nairobi lawmaker as someone who expresses strong opinions but does not resort to violence.
“Babu is such a useless boy because he is not violent. I have never seen Babu where I see violence. That is why I am saying he is useless,” Onyonka said, explaining that his statement was meant in a positive way rather than as an insult.
The comments come at a time when political tensions appear to be rising in some parts of the country. In recent weeks, Owino has raised concerns about what he described as political interference involving his team.
The MP had earlier stated that several of his security officers were arrested by police in Kisumu shortly before the Linda Mwananchi rally that was scheduled to take place in Kakamega.
In a message shared on the social media platform X on February 22, 2026, Owino said the officers were taken into custody but that no clear information had been provided about the charges they faced.
“Yesterday, my security officers were arrested by the police in Kisumu. Up to this moment, they have not been released, and the charges against them remain unknown,” he wrote.
Owino has been among the leaders who frequently criticise the current administration and has participated in several opposition political activities.
These include rallies and public events alongside Edwin Sifuna, the Senator for Nairobi, where they have addressed issues affecting citizens and government policies.
The claims made by Onyonka have added another layer to the ongoing political conversations in the country.
While the full details surrounding the alleged incident remain unclear, the remarks have drawn attention to the importance of ensuring safety and calm in political spaces, especially during a period when leaders continue to hold rallies and public gatherings across different regions.
