Raila explains absence from demos as Babu Owino remains in police custody

By Peter Ochieng

Azimio leader Raila Odinga on Thursday evening explained his absence from anti-government protests.

In a phone interview with NTV, Odinga said he is nursing a flu, forcing him to stay off the front line during the three-day protests.

"Nilipata homa mbaya sana. Lakini sasa nazidi kupata afueni. Nitakuwa sawa sawa (I got caught a very bad flu. I am recuperating well, I will be okay)," said the ODM party boss.

He said the protests will continue on Friday as planned.

Meanwhile, Embakasi East MP Paul Ongili alias Babu Owino and self declared ghetto president Calvin Gaucho will remain in police custody until Friday.

The court will make a ruling on whether they will be released on bail or not.

Milimani magistrate Lucas Onyina said he will make a ruling on their bail application on Friday morning.

He directed that the MP be taken to hospital for medical attention.

Owino was arrested on Tuesday night at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), on arrival from Mombasa.

He was taken into detention at the Wang'uru Police Station in Mwea, Kirinyaga County.

He was taken back to Nairobi on Thursday afternoon. His wife, Fridah Muthoni Ongili said at the time of his arrest, he was not feeling well.

Babu Owino, Gaucho and five others are being accused of conspiring to commit subversive activities, which are prejudicial to public order.

They denied the charges.