Babu Owino and James Orengo Protest Alleged Police Harassment

Key facts

• Embakasi East MP Babu Owino and Siaya Governor James Orengo visited DCI headquarters on Wednesday.
• They protested the alleged harassment of Owino's security aide, Oliver Ochieng.
• Ochieng is reportedly under scrutiny for alleged gun possession.
• Owino claims police are using investigations to intimidate political allies.
• Governor Orengo cited constitutional concerns over police independence.
• Orengo alleged Interior PS Raymond Omollo is influencing police operations.
• The events took place on May 6, 2026.

Leaders Confront DCI Over Aide's Scrutiny

Embakasi East Member of Parliament Babu Owino, accompanied by Siaya Governor James Orengo, presented themselves at the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) headquarters on Wednesday. Their visit was a pointed protest against what they described as the persistent harassment of Owino's personal security aide, Oliver Ochieng. Ochieng is reportedly under scrutiny concerning alleged possession of a firearm. However, Owino and Orengo contend that law enforcement is employing investigations as a tactic to intimidate individuals associated with the MP politically, bypassing due process. "Police are telling us that they are doing their work, but the work is to harass people," Owino stated, questioning why his aide was not arrested at the DCI offices if formal charges were to be preferred. The MP expressed fears that Ochieng could be apprehended outside Nairobi, despite having voluntarily presented himself to investigators.

Accusations of Political Interference in Law Enforcement

Governor Orengo voiced significant constitutional concerns regarding the conduct of police operations, warning against external influences on law enforcement decisions. He asserted that the National Police Service (NPS) is constitutionally mandated to operate independently, free from the direction of any external power or authority. "It is clear that police officers’ power and authority are being influenced from outside the service on who to arrest, who not to arrest, who to charge and who not to charge," Orengo claimed. He urged the Inspector General of Police to assert the service's independence and ensure that policing remains free from political direction. Ochieng himself recounted living under constant fear due to repeated arrests and what he described as persistent targeting. "I have been arrested so many times, and sometimes they let me go because they can’t find any charges. I don’t live in peace because people are after me," he stated, linking the alleged harassment to his association with the legislator.

Governor Orengo Alleges Executive Control Over Police

In a press conference on Wednesday, Governor Orengo escalated his claims, alleging that the Executive branch is actively controlling security organs. This, he argued, constitutes a breach of the constitutional provisions safeguarding the independence of the NPS. He specifically pointed to the Inspector General of Police, Douglas Kanja, suggesting he is operating under the directives of Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo. Orengo maintained that while executive orders are permissible for policy changes, they should not extend to administrative operations within the police service. "The Interior PS is not your superior on operations. We may have to inquire and take you into account if you are acting on the directions of Raymond Omollo," Orengo warned PS Omollo, urging him to cease any purported purging of the "Linda Mwananchi brigade" and adhere to his legal mandate.

DCI Deployments and Undermining Local Authority

The leaders further alleged that officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) in Nairobi are being deployed to interfere with political functions, specifically mentioning the "Linda Mwananchi" initiative, without the knowledge of regional branches. This practice, they contend, undermines the authority of officers already stationed at regional and county levels. "I'm asking the Inspector General to be in charge of the NPS in operations. There is no way that we have part of the directorate in Kisumu at the regional and county level and still send officers from Nairobi to arrest people in Kisumu," Orengo stated, emphasizing the disruption caused. Babu Owino echoed these sentiments, urging the Inspector General to stamp his authority and prevent his unit from being abused. He advised residents of Kisumu to treat any unknown DCI officers operating without regional bosses' knowledge as criminals, declaring, "time to fear you is over."

Aide's Persistent Fear and Call for Genuine Investigation

Oliver Ochieng, the security aide at the center of the controversy, detailed his ongoing ordeal. He claimed to have lived in a state of persistent fear due to repeated arrests, often without formal charges being filed. This pattern has left him unable to live in peace, as he feels targeted. Ochieng appealed to the authorities to shift their focus from what he perceives as politically motivated harassment towards genuine criminal activity. His statement underscored the personal toll of the alleged surveillance and intimidation tactics. The faction supporting Owino and Orengo has repeatedly faulted PS Omollo and other executive members for allegedly meddling in their political rallies and sponsoring chaos, even calling for Omollo's resignation. The situation highlights a deep-seated tension between political factions and the perceived politicization of law enforcement agencies.

The bottom line

• Embakasi East MP Babu Owino and Siaya Governor James Orengo publicly protested alleged police harassment of Owino's aide, Oliver Ochieng.
• Ochieng is reportedly under investigation for alleged gun possession, but leaders claim it's a tactic to intimidate political allies.
• Governor Orengo raised concerns about the independence of the National Police Service, citing external political influence.
• Orengo alleged that Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo is directing police operations, which he deems unconstitutional.
• Leaders criticized the deployment of DCI officers from Nairobi to interfere with local political activities without regional command knowledge.
• The aide, Ochieng, described a pattern of repeated arrests and fear due to his association with the MP.