In Summary
● Lawyer Danstan says the nine detainees were bungled in a waiting car and whisked to unknown location.
●They were to participate in Azimio anti-government protests
● wants the court to release or the police to present them before a court of law
Azimio la Umoja Coalition lawyer Danstan Omari has filed an application in court to compel the State to reveal the whereabouts of Embakasi East MP Babu Owino and Opposition leader Raila Odinga’s private security Maurice Ogeta.
In the application seen by Ghetto Radio, Omari listed nine individuals among them Embakasi East Member of Parliament Babu Owino and Maurice Ogeta, security attached to Azimio leader Raila Odinga and other members of county assemblies .
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“THAT before the unconstitutional, illegal and surreptitious abduction and forceful detention of the Applicants herein, they had every intention of participating in the three day country wide demonstrations beginning the 19th July 2023 that have been called by H.E. Raila Odinga to pressurize the government of the day to lower the cost of living especially following the passing of the Finance Act,2023 that despite its operation being stayed by the Constitutional Court, its effects continue to pain Kenyans, “the application read.
Babu Owino, Ogeta Missing
He says the parties were arrested in various locations within Nairobi County and were whisked to various locations unknown to their friends, families ,supporters and officials of the opposition.
“THAT the Applicants herein were on the 19th July 2023 arrested at various places within Nairobi County and whisked to various destinations that are unknown to their family members, friends and acquaintances within the ranks of the official opposition of the government in Kenya.”
He further stated that the arrests interrupted the parties’ intention to participate in the three day demonstration to pressure rise the government to lower the cost of living.
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He pleaded with the court to order the release of the nine applicants or be charged within 24 hours constitutional time should DPP prefer charges against them.
The Attorney General, Inspector General of police and the Office of Director of Public Prosecution have been listed as respondents.
By Rodgers Oduor
