Kileleshwa MCA Robert Alai has broken his silence on the dramatic confrontation with Embakasi East MP Babu Owino at a high-end Nairobi restaurant, firmly denying allegations that he drew a firearm during their heated exchange.
Speaking exclusively on TV47’s Morning Café, Alai provided his version of events that unfolded at Seeders Restaurant in Kilimani over the Christmas holidays, painting a different picture from the one presented by the Member of Parliament.
In a statement on Sunday, January 4 afternoon, MP Babu has described the incident as a “grave threat” to his life.
According to Babu’s account, the situation escalated after Alai accused him of orchestrating social media attacks against his wife, an allegation the legislator denied.
Babu claimed he calmly explained that he doesn’t know Alai’s wife and has no reason to involve innocent family members in politics.
“Without provocation, he accused me of being behind alleged social media attacks on his wife,” Babu wrote. “I calmly explained that I do not know his wife, that she has never wronged me in any way, and that I have no reason whatsoever to involve innocent family members in politics.”
The MP further alleged that Alai became aggressive, pushed him, drew a pistol and struck him on the chest and jaw before pouring a glass of water on his face.
Babu Owino said he left the premises and reported the matter at Kilimani Police Station, describing the episode as part of a wider pattern of politically motivated intimidation.
Alai’s side of the story
However, the MCA explained that he was sitting with others when Babu approached their table to greet them.
“I told him that ‘I’m not very comfortable greeting you’. He started to push my head, telling me how he will bang me in the Nairobi City County, which he’s capturing,” Alai recounted.
Alai clarified that he’s not vying for any governorship seat and told Babu as much during their encounter. “I said, I’m not vying for any governorship seat, because I hear you are vying for the governor’s seat, so I don’t think that I am supposed to be in the conversation with the governor, because I’m not a candidate,” he explained.
The situation became uncomfortable when one of the people sitting with Alai joked about financial matters. It was then that Alai urged Owino to keep family members out of politics. “What I would urge you is that when you’re doing all your politics, please don’t involve family members, because if you do that route, then it becomes very bad for us,” Alai told the MP.
According to the MCA, this is when Babu became agitated and continued pushing his head.
“I told him, I don’t want to greet you. Please just go home, because I knew that this thing has been very uncomfortable to me. This is not a matter which you’ll never see me put my family members or post my family members on these platforms, and I would urge you that we end this issue here,” Alai is reported to have told Babu.
On the explosive gun allegation, Alai explained how the events unfolded, according to him.
“When I stood up and pushed him back, I think he’s now brought in other issues, because I didn’t draw a gun on him. There was a gun on my waist, but I didn’t draw a gun on him. The person sitting next to me saw the gun on my waist, because I was wearing a shirt only, I was not wearing a jacket, and took the gun,” he explained.
Alai pointed to evidence that could vindicate him, stating confidently, “If you go to that restaurant, they have a video. I produced one video where I said I drew a gun on him. I find it just absurd, because the fact that an issue has come in place, then you’re looking for ways of… I find it, the spices are not normal to me.”
When asked whether this was a political rivalry or personal misunderstanding, Alai was clear. “It’s not political rivalry because I’m not, there’s no seat, there’s no antagonistic we’re having, there’s no, we’re not competing anywhere with Babu,” he stated. He acknowledged being vocal as an MCA in Nairobi, noting that he had previously told Nairobians that Babu was not the best candidate for Nairobi.
“Even on this platform, I think the last time I appeared here, I said that if anybody wanted to finish Babu, give him Nairobi because he will not last there for two years,” Alai recalled. However, he emphasized that everyone has a right to vie for any seat they want.
The MCA also dismissed recent poll mentions of Babu as a favorite for “kingpin,” saying, “There’s no seat in ODM called kingpin. I’ve never known that seat. There is no seat, county or national level, called a kingpin.”
Alai insisted the incident was purely personal, not political. “It’s a personal misunderstanding. In fact, even the guys who are there are well-placed men in this society of Kenya and they would not tolerate such… and we’ve been there for like 10 or so years. We sit in that place almost every week for the last 10 years,” he said.
Despite their differences, Alai maintained that Babu remains his friend.
“Babu is my friend and despite all these differences, Babu is my friend,” he stated.
The incident has triggered mixed reactions among Kenyans on social media, with many demanding swift police action.
At the time of reporting, police were yet to issue an official statement on the matter, though investigations are said to be ongoing at Kilimani Police Station.
