NAIROBI — On a day that marked a personal milestone, Embakasi East MP Babu Owino turned his admission to the bar into a political statement, warning the government to prepare for legal battles ahead.
Owino, known for his combative style and populist tone, was among 609 new advocates sworn in on Friday. But rather than bask in ceremony, the lawmaker framed the occasion as the beginning of a fresh phase in his long-running war on inequality.
“This achievement is not about personal grandiosity,” he said, clad in full advocate’s robes. “The law is now a new battlefield where I will fight even harder for justice, equity, and the rights of the common mwananchi.”
He spoke from the podium with his usual fire, promising to take legal action against policies he says deepen poverty and impunity. “The government should brace itself for more lethal arguments both in Parliament and now in court,” he added.
The 36-year-old legislator, born Paul Ongili, took time to reflect on his upbringing in Nyalenda, a low-income neighbourhood in Kisumu. There, he said, injustice was part of daily life.
“Growing up in the slums of Nyalenda, I noticed with deep concern the constant harassment and humiliation of ordinary Kenyans in the brutal hands of law enforcement,” he recalled.
He spoke candidly of his mother, who he says was often arrested for selling chang’aa, an illicit brew. “Instead of being arraigned in court, she would be beaten up by police to pay a bribe from her meagre sales,” he said.
That experience, he explained, planted the seeds of his desire to study law not for prestige, but for power to protect.
Owino’s reputation in Parliament has been built on controversy and outspokenness. He has often been at loggerheads with the ruling coalition, frequently clashing with security agencies and budget policymakers. His critics accuse him of showmanship. His supporters see him as fearless.
Now, he says, the legal profession adds weight to his mission.
“Expect legal action aimed at lowering the cost of living, creating jobs, and holding systems accountable,” he declared.
The MP closed with a familiar blend of drama and defiance. “The revolution continues now with a gown and a gavel. So, help me, God.”
As he enters the legal arena, Owino’s next moves will be closely watched by allies, opponents and the many Kenyans who live the hardship he often speaks of.
