Kenyans criticize Kyagulanyi for defending a politician accused of attempting murder.

Kenyans on social media have reacted angrily to a video in which President Kyagulanyi Robert Ssentamu of the National Unity Platform is seen defending a politician accused of attempted murder.

Kyagulanyi is seen urging Kenyans from the Embakasi constituency to re-elect his friend Babu Owino as Member of Parliament in a video released on Twitter.

“Greetings to the people of Kenya, especially the people of Embakasi East, where my brother Babu Owino is from.” I’d like to remind you that asserting your constitutional right is critical. Please register and ensure that you are eligible to vote, then vote for my brother Babu Owino when you go out to vote. In the video, Bobi Wine says, “Let’s do this, let’s assert ourselves.”

Babu Owino, whose true name is Paul Ongili, was accused in a Kenyan court in January 2020 after shooting at a well-known DJ, Felix Odhiambo, also known as DJ Evolve. Owino pulled out a pistol and fired at DJ Evolve after the two had a dispute in a pub. As Kenya prepares for general elections in 2022, the lawsuit has yet to be resolved.

Kenyans felt deceived by Bobi Wine’s backing for a man accused of attempted murder given this backdrop. Kenyans who had previously shown support for Bobi Wine said it was a good thing he lost the 2021 presidential election to Yoweri Museveni in comments posted on Twitter and Facebook.

“Museveni was correct, Bobi wine is a rip-off,” said Nick Cesc, a comedian. “I believed Bobi was clever only to discover kichwa ni ya kubebea kofia pekee, literally meaning his skull had an empty head,” one Sir Phinie stated.

“A madman may say something truthful once in a while, but keep an eye on him; he’ll say something else to show you that his head is still messed up.” If that’s what he’s thinking, Museveni has every right to silence him,” Lameck Bosire said.

“How dare one support a jerk like Babu?” On Twitter, Cyrus Osman said, “Museveni should work on this guy in the chiboko style he worked on Kizza Kifefe Besigye.” Justus Kemboi, another Twitter user, wondered if Bobi Wine was aware that his friend had shot an unarmed man who is now struggling for his life.

“He complains about Museveni in Uganda, yet he wants Kenyans to vote for this sharpshooter in 2022,” wrote Kemboi. Another user, David Kinoti, praised President Museveni for remaining in power and not putting his people in risk by allowing Bobi Wine to win.

Some Ugandans attempted to counter by stating that Bobi Wine was joking.