Patmoz
By Njeri Irungu.
Diani, Kwale County — Embakasi East Member of Parliament and advocate Babu Owino on Thursday used the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) Annual Conference to launch a scathing attack on President William Ruto, accusing him of undermining constitutionalism and the rule of law.
Speaking in Diani, Kwale County, where lawyers are meeting under the theme “Constitution and Constitutionalism,” Owino warned that Kenya’s constitutional order was under threat from what he termed the President’s “rule of man” approach.
“There cannot be a constitution without constitutionalism. Any constitution that exists without constitutionalism only exists in spirit, not in practice,” Owino told delegates. “The President wants to rule this nation by the rule of man. We don’t want rule of man; we want rule of law.”
He particularly faulted President Ruto’s recent comments dismissing anticipatory bail, noting that the same legal provision once shielded him when he was a Member of Parliament.
“It is a shame for the President to say anticipatory bail should not be given to Kenyans, when he himself once sought it,” Owino said.
The outspoken MP added that lawyers must remain vigilant defenders of justice. “We are here as advocates, and we will protect the law. This nation is ours, and we will not allow it to become a shell,” he declared.
Owino also reflected on the gains and gaps in the implementation of the 2010 Constitution, citing devolution, the Bill of Rights, and gender reforms as areas where progress had been made — albeit inconsistently.
“Some of the rights we enjoy today are the fruits of the Constitution, but not fully implemented. Devolution works, but not fully. The Bill of Rights is there, but still violated. Gender equity has improved — women can now inherit property — but we still have a long way to go,” he said.
Turning to Parliament, Owino criticised the suspension of MPs, saying such actions were unconstitutional and undermined representation.
“Diversity of opinion does not mean you suspend someone from sitting in Parliament. The Speaker is not above the law,” he said.
Owino further hinted at building future political alliances, dismissing speculation about his recent meetings with fellow politicians as “meetings for the future.”
“These are the people of tomorrow. We belong to the people. Our rallies will continue because the ground is the people, and we are with them,” he said.
The LSK conference, which has drawn senior counsel, advocates, and legal scholars, continues in Diani with discussions on constitutional implementation, governance, and the future of Kenya’s legal profession.
