Shadrack Nyakoe
By Robert Njoya
Embakasi East MP Babu Owino has urged the government to strike off criminal records linked to minor offences, saying such entries hinder rehabilitation and deny Kenyans a fair chance to rebuild their lives.
The lawmaker noted that the purpose of justice is to reform offenders, not to impose lifelong punishment. He said small offences, including disturbances during demonstrations, should not prevent citizens from securing employment after completing their sentences.
“Justice is meant to rehabilitate. Once you’ve been punished and served, you should not continue being judged by past mistakes. Petty offences such as protests or causing disturbance should not deny someone a job,” Babu said.
He warned that maintaining such records leads to social exclusion, forcing some individuals to deliberately commit new crimes so they can return to prison for food and shelter.
“If a person knows they can’t get a job, some will reoffend just to go back to prison where basic needs are guaranteed. That is why petty records must be expunged,” he added.
On government compensation for families of those killed during protests, Babu dismissed the move as insincere and politically motivated.
“Compensation is not wrong, but doing it for political reasons is unjust. No life can be replaced with money, and yet no one has been held responsible for the killings. How do you put a price on a lost life?” he posed.
He said the state must ensure accountability instead of normalising killings followed by payouts.
Babu also accused President William Ruto of using intimidation instead of addressing grievances from citizens struggling with joblessness, high living costs, and education fees.
“You cannot scare people who have nothing to lose. Kenyans want jobs, affordable education, and a lower cost of living. Threats will not silence them,” he said.
The MP further opposed a bill by Justice and Legal Affairs Committee chair George Murugara seeking to give the president powers to appoint senior counsel, saying the role should remain with legal institutions.
“The president knows little about law. We studied for six years to qualify. He cannot decide who becomes senior counsel,” he said.
Babu’s remarks add to ongoing debate on reforms in the justice system, state accountability for protest deaths, and the role of government in ensuring meaningful rehabilitation of offenders.
Patmoz
