Babu Owino Condemns ‘Staged Drama’ at City Hall Amid Gikomba Demolitions

Babu Owino has strongly criticized what he described as “staged drama” at City Hall, accusing Nairobi County leadership of diverting public attention while traders in Gikomba suffered devastating losses from ongoing demolitions.

In a statement, the Embakasi East legislator took issue with the dramatic scenes involving Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja and police officers, alleging that the purported arrest attempt was choreographed to mislead Nairobi residents.

“It was painful to watch—not because it was real, but because it was staged,” Owino said, adding that the incident appeared designed to distract the public from more pressing concerns affecting livelihoods in the city.

The MP also questioned the governor’s temporary inaccessibility during the incident, suggesting it raised concerns about accountability at a critical moment.

Owino pointed to demolitions at Gikomba market as the real issue of concern, saying traders lost their businesses, stock, and sole sources of income overnight. He described the situation as a betrayal of hardworking Kenyans who depend on daily trade to survive.

“This is not leadership. When the people needed answers, they were given drama and silence,” he said.

The outspoken lawmaker called for transparency from county officials and urged authorities to prioritize the welfare of affected traders, warning that failure to do so would deepen public distrust.

The incident has intensified scrutiny of Nairobi County’s handling of urban development and enforcement operations, with leaders and residents alike demanding accountability and humane solutions for displaced traders.