The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has arrested two Azimio La Umoja Nairobi politicians seen as major mobilisers in the city, just hours before the three-day-long protests commence.

The DCI officers stationed at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport reportedly arrested Embakasi East Member of Parliament Babu Owino as he landed back from Mombasa while self-styled ghetto president Calvin Gaucho was picked last evening by police.

Confirming the arrests, Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Party Director of Communications Philip Etale noted that Babu was arrested but the officers did not reveal the reason why he was being detained.

“Babu was arrested when he was in the company of other Nairobi Members of Parliament with whom he was attending a meeting organised by Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA),” Etale stated.

However, a video that went viral following the arrest is fake as it was taken on September 17, 2017 after Babu was rearrested at Milimani Law Courts minutes after his release. 

According to Etale, Babu’s arrest was most likely related to the ongoing protests in which the Azimio la Umoja Coalition is demanding the reduction of the cost of living among other issues previously raised.

Babu, who is a close ally of ODM Party Leader Raila Odinga, was expected to lead his supporters in Embakasi East to protest starting Wednesday, July 19 all through to Friday, July 21.

On Sunday, July 16, Babu visited a group of young men who were arrested for participating in an unlawful protest and promised to ensure that they were released.

“I was in solidarity with 16 of my constituents at Ruai Police Station. They were unlawfully arrested yesterday at Jacaranda Grounds. They’ll be taken to court tomorrow and I will pay their cash bail,” Babu stated.

The Embakasi East MP has been a key figure in the ongoing protests which were called by his party leader Raila Odinga, who called on his supporters to turn up in large numbers and resist President William Ruto’s government.

On Tuesday, July 18, Narok Senator Ledama Ole Kina claimed that a contingent of police officers had raided his Nairobi home in an attempt to arrest him, but he was not in the city at the time.

In a show of defiance, Ole Kina provided his GPS coordinates in order to help the police to find him easily. The Narok Senator stated that he had nothing to fear, and that he would not turn himself into a fugitive of the Law.

“While you are busy chasing us, and trying to arrest us, looting the public coffers continues. Here is my location. Please come and have a beer with me,” Ole Kina. 

Bunge la Wananchi leader Calvin Okoth alias Gaucho greeting former President Uhuru Kenyatta as Raila Odinga overlooks on May 22, 2023 (left) and Gaucho speaking during the Jubilee Party NDC (right).