A Kenyan man identified on social media as Marcelo Bahati has attracted national attention after tattooing the face of Embakasi East Member of Parliament Paul Ongili, widely known as Babu Owino, across his entire back.
The large tattoo also bears the inscription “Bila Babu Tabu,” a Swahili phrase loosely translated to mean “Without Babu, there is no problem.” According to posts shared online, Bahati said the message was intended to show that Babu Owino “deserves to lead Kenya.”
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Images and video clips of the tattoo circulated widely on Facebook, Instagram and X, drawing significant engagement and varied reactions from users.
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Marcelo Bahati // Instagram

Babu Owino Responds

Babu Owino acknowledged the gesture through his verified social media accounts. He shared photos of the tattoo and called for the supporter to be identified.
“Find this young man. I will reward him in instalments,” Owino wrote in one of the posts.
The statement generated further discussion online, with users debating both the tattoo and the MP’s response.
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Online Reactions

Social media commentary reflected a range of views. Among the common reactions:
  • Some users praised the supporter’s loyalty.
  • Others questioned the decision to make a permanent political statement through body art.
  • A section of commenters discussed the broader culture of political hero worship in Kenya.

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The posts continued trending for several hours after being shared by the MP.
Marcelo Bahati // Instagram

Owino’s Political Profile

Babu Owino is serving his second term as Embakasi East MP under the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party. He previously served as Chairperson of the Students’ Organisation of Nairobi University (SONU) before entering parliamentary politics.
In recent years, he has positioned himself as a vocal figure on youth issues, governance and economic matters. He has also publicly expressed ambitions to play a larger leadership role within his party ahead of the 2027 General Election.
This is not the first time supporters have tattooed Owino’s image. In previous instances, admirers have shared similar body art online, with the MP acknowledging some of them publicly.