Embakasi East MP Babu Owino has strongly criticised Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja after several individuals admitted they were paid to cause chaos during the June 17 protest.
In an interview aired by Citizen TV, some of the goons revealed they were hired by a powerful figure and were paid as little as Ksh 50 to participate in the destruction that took place during the demonstration.
Others claimed they were tricked and never received any money despite being promised payment.
On Saturday, June 21, Babu Owino released a statement accusing Sakaja of betraying the people of Nairobi by allegedly using hired goons to attack and intimidate protesters.
He said the young people and hawkers who joined the protest ended up being violently harassed by individuals acting under the instructions of county officials.
“Governor Sakaja, Nairobi residents did not elect you so that you could unleash goons on them. You campaigned on the promise of responsible leadership and positive change, but what we are witnessing now is a complete betrayal,” Owino said.
He continued to express concern over the mistreatment of ordinary citizens, saying, “Small-scale traders are being harassed, youths are being assaulted, and anyone speaking out is being shut down—not with dialogue, but with violence. Is this really the ‘new Nairobi’ you pledged to build?”
Owino further accused Sakaja’s leadership of using fear and intimidation to control the public instead of engaging in transparent and accountable governance.
“You were entrusted with the power to repair broken systems—not to turn against the people. You were elected to lead with compassion and responsibility, not to oppress the very citizens who believed in you.
Every time your administration sends people to intimidate residents, it becomes clearer—you are not leading, you are ruling through fear,” he added.
His criticism came amid growing speculation that Sakaja was behind the hiring of goons who disrupted the peaceful protest. The allegations sparked widespread anger, especially from those who had participated in the demonstration.
In response to the accusations, Governor Sakaja denied any involvement in the planning or funding of the chaos. He insisted that the claims were completely false and politically motivated.
“Those are blatant lies. On Sunday, I was in Lugari attending a church service, and I only returned to Nairobi on Monday afternoon through Kitale. I even have the travel ticket to prove it.
I haven’t seen Gaucho since the Mukuru Housing Project launch, and as for Swaleh, it has been months,” Sakaja clarified in his response.
The heated exchange between Babu Owino and Sakaja has added more tension to the ongoing debate about the use of hired goons during public protests and the responsibilities of elected leaders in maintaining peace and order.
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