From Slums to Advocate: Babu Owino's Journey to High Court Bar

Embakasi East MP Babu Owino is the newest advocate in town, thanks to his journey of resilience in Law studies that took years to complete.

The MP took to his social media pages early Friday morning to celebrate the milestone after being admitted to the bar as the advocate of the High Court of Kenya.

In celebration, Owino reminisced how he grew up in poverty in the slums of Nyalenda, Kisumu County, to rising through the ranks to become an MP and now officially recognized as an advocate.

“Today marks a historic chapter in my journey - my admission to the bar as an advocate of the High Court of Kenya.”

Owino indicated that even after becoming an MP, his soul could not find peace especially after repeatedly witnessing how poor Kenyans are being legally oppressed, which fueled his ambition to study law to help bring justice to the underprivileged.

“Growing up in the slums of Nyalenda, I noticed with deep concern the constant harassment and humiliation of ordinary Kenyans in the brutal hands of law enforcement agencies most of the time without a clue of what their constitutional rights were.”

My mother got arrested severally and instead of being arraigned in court would be beaten up by police to pay a bribe from her meager change sales proceeds. This has pushed me over the years to study and appreciate the laws of Kenya and their role in safeguarding justice, both procedural and substantive,” Owino revealed.

The vocal ODM legislator made it clear that adding the legal profession to his resume is not just to benefit himself and build a name for himself but he aims to use his profession to serve the people.

The MP who has long been at the forefront of fighting and defending the rights of university students said that becoming a lawyer will give him another opportunity to shift his battlefield to courts to ensure justice is served to his would-be clients.

“This achievement is not about personal grandiosity. It is about sharpening the tools of service. The law is now a new battlefield where I will fight even harder for justice, equity, and the rights of the common mwananchi. The Government should brace itself for more lethal arguments in defense of Kenyans—both in Parliament and now in court,” he said.

Owino hinted that the very first legal action he’s planning to take against the government is about the issue of cost of living andjob creation for youths among others.

“Expect legal action aimed at lowering the cost of living, creating jobs, and holding systems accountable. The revolution continues—now with a gown and a gavel. So, help me, God,” he concluded.

Babu Owino has never been shy when talking about the inspiration behind his many university degrees.

In a previous interview with TV47, Owino clarified that he grew up in a poor family, and he knew that only education could change their family’s story, which is why he can’t seem to stop chasing more accolades.

“The Actuarial Science First Class Honors was for my mother, then after that I did Masters in Architectural Science for my sister then after that I did LLB Law degree for my brother then Masters in law for myself,” Babu Owino said.

“I wanted to do a degree for everybody in that house so that was the motivation because as we were growing up we were told that education is the key to success so I saw why can’t I have many keys to success," he added.