Embakasi East MP Babu Owino was on Thursday November 25 acquitted of hate speech charges that he was facing.
Milimani Senior Principal Magistrate Kenneth Cheruiyot concluded that the prosecution had failed to prove that the MP was guilty of the offence.
The lawmaker was in trouble because of the words he uttered against president Uhuru in 2017.
According to the prosecution, the words were offensive and were meant to bring hatred towards the head of state.
Babu denied three counts of Incitement of violence, offensive conduct and subversion. He allegedly uttered the words on September 24, 2017 at a rally in Kawangware.
The MP faced a second charge of incitement of violence and uttering words that were meant to cause disobedience to lawful authority
The prosecution argued that Babu’s remarks were meant to bring hatred and contempt towards a public officer.
Babu is known for using controversial remarks in his political career and from time to time, he has been condemned and criticized by other politicians.
In 2019, when advocating for a constitutional change, Babu promised war in the next general elections if the constitution will not be changed.
“Babu Owino says publicly that we should change the constitution so that Raila Odinga can become President, failure to which there will be bloodshed in 2022. I am still waiting for Raila to contradict his ODM party MP,” the MP said in August 2019.
In 2017, the court also freed Babu Owino over hate speech allegations after the prosecution failed to prove that his words amounted to hate speech.
He had been charged with making offensive remarks on June 13, 2016, at Orange House, Nairobi, warning Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria against threatening ODM leader Raila Odinga.
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