Nairobi County Executive Committee Member for Citizen Services and Engagement Brian Mosiria has explained the long-running differences between him and Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, linking their fallout to a violent student leadership contest at the University of Nairobi.
Mosiria said his position against Babu was not influenced by the MP’s political ambitions, Governor Johnson Sakaja or the 2027 Nairobi gubernatorial race.
He said the dispute dates back to a difficult period in his life when he was contesting for the Students Organisation of Nairobi University (SONU) chairmanship.
“I want to state this clearly: my differences with Babu Owino are not because he is contesting for the Governor of Nairobi position. They are not about Governor Sakaja, who is my current boss, political positions, or political sides,” Mosiria said.
He claimed that his decision to challenge Babu’s leadership at the university exposed him to intimidation and attacks by individuals he associated with the political rivalry.
“At Kikuyu Campus and Upper Kabete Campus, I was attacked by goons whom I believe were sent by Babu Owino because I had dared to challenge the existing leadership,” he said.
Mosiria alleged that his vehicle was surrounded during one of the incidents, with the attackers smashing its windscreens and demanding his phone, M-Pesa details and money. He claimed they demanded KSh100,000 before allowing him to leave.
“I pleaded with them for one hour and asked to be allowed to buy my freedom,” he said, adding that some students intervened and helped negotiate his release.
The county official said the confrontations did not end there. He recalled another incident at Kikuyu Campus during his campaign, claiming that students eventually came to his protection.
He also alleged that his then Secretary General, Ben Serkal, was attacked and humiliated at the university’s Main Campus during the same period.
Mosiria further recalled incidents involving other members of his team. He claimed Mike Jacobs was attacked at Kileleshwa Shell Petrol Station and left injured, while another colleague, identified as Calfford, was allegedly stabbed several times and rushed to MP Shah Hospital in Westlands.
“These experiences affected real people. Young students who only wanted to participate in leadership were living in fear,” Mosiria said.
He maintained that he has forgiven those involved but does not believe forgiveness requires him to forget what happened.
“I have forgiven, but forgiveness does not mean forgetting what happened,” he said.
Mosiria also accused Babu of continuing to target him on social media through bloggers, saying their latest disagreements stem from his decision to speak publicly about their university experiences.
“My story is not about hatred. My story is about survival. My story is about truth. My story is about a painful chapter that shaped the person I am today,” he said.
Babu has not responded to the allegations contained in Mosiria’s statement.
Mosiria said he respects the right of Nairobi residents to support any political candidate but maintained that his own experiences have shaped his decision not to support Babu.
He said his focus was now on serving Nairobi residents and promoting leadership based on peace, dignity and respect for human life.