Embakasi East MP Babu Owino has addressed recent allegations by Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi suggesting he is a current drug user, categorically rejecting the claims and clarifying his personal history with substance use during a televised interview on Sunday night, February 22, at Citizen TV.
In an interview aired during the prime‑time news slot, Mr Owino acknowledged that he once consumed bhang, drugs and alcohol but stated unequivocally that he has not used any of these substances in six years.
He said the last time he consumed bhang and other intoxicants was on 17th January 2020, and that since then he has made a complete break from them.
“I used to consume bhang, drugs and alcohol, but I stopped their consumption,” the MP said. “It has been six years since I touched bhang, drugs or alcohol. Six years. And I just drink water; it is in the public domain.”
Mr Owino’s comments were in direct response to Mr Mbadi’s allegations, which emerged earlier this week in political exchanges that have intensified ahead of the 2027 general election cycle.
The MP urged the Treasury CS to direct his focus toward national economic issues rather than personal attacks.
“John Mbadi should focus on building the nation; he should focus on working at the Treasury,” Mr Owino said. “Focusing on Babu taking bhang while he is focusing on selling Safaricom, there are pending bills he should be focusing on.”
The MP alluded to financial decisions and contentious debates around the government’s handling of the proposed partial sale of Safaricom, a matter that has drawn sharp criticism from opposition politicians.
Mr Owino also dismissed claims linking him to alleged ranking disputes among Luo leaders.
“About this ranking of Luo leaders, I was proclaimed by the people,” he said, referencing what he described as popular metrics placing him ahead of his critics.
He cited figures indicating he has a 58% approval among constituents compared to Mr Mbadi’s purported 2%, claiming these numbers explain the intensity of the attacks against him.
“That is what is disturbing him, Mbadi boy,” he said, using a colloquial address to reinforce his point.