What Babu Owino Told The Judge During The Case Of "Mr Speaker Sir" Gen Z

Embakasi East MP Babu Owino has weighed in on the case of Ezekiel Kyama Nzyoki, the Kenyatta University student widely known online as Mr Speaker Sir, who was arraigned at the Milimani Law Courts following his arrest during the June 25, 2026 anniversary demonstrations in Nairobi.

Kyama pleaded not guilty to charges of maliciously damaging parliament property valued at 41.2 million shillings during the original June 25, 2024 anti-Finance Bill protests. 

Prosecutors allege the damage covered buildings, furniture, ICT equipment, television screens, vehicles and other property within the parliamentary precincts. He also denied a separate charge of unlawfully accessing parliament grounds.

Babu, who as a sitting MP was inside parliament on the day in question, offered testimony that appeared to support Kyama's defence. 

He stated plainly that he was in parliament on June 25, 2024, and that he did not see Mr Speaker Sir entering the building that day.

The remark carries significant weight given Babu's position as an eyewitness with direct access to the parliamentary chambers during the chaos of that afternoon. 

His statement raises questions about the strength of the prosecution's case linking Kyama directly to the property destruction inside parliament.

Kyama was released on a personal bond of 100,000 shillings following his arraignment. His case has drawn considerable public sympathy, with many Kenyans viewing him as a symbol of the broader Gen Z movement that emerged during the 2024 protests and has remained active in subsequent demonstrations.

The case is expected to proceed through the courts in the coming months, with Babu's remarks likely to feature prominently as the defence builds its argument against the damage charges levelled at Kyama.