Fridah Ongili, the wife of Embakasi East Member of Parliament Babu Owino, disclosed her frantic efforts to locate her husband after he was reportedly arrested at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) on the eve of Wednesday's anti-government protests. The search took her to over five police stations and eventually led her to Kirinyaga, approximately 100 kilometers from Nairobi.

After contacting her husband late on Tuesday night, Fridah learned that he had been detained by the Directorate of Criminal Investigation (DCI) officers. Babu's phone went off shortly after the call, leaving Fridah worried and determined to find him. She visited various police stations, including DCI headquarters, the airport, Muthaiga, Gigiri, Kilimani, Kileleshwa, and Embakasi police stations.

Eventually, Fridah received information that Babu might be held at Wanguru Police Station in Mwea, Kirinyaga County. However, when she arrived, she was denied entry as the station was heavily guarded.

Despite knowing her husband's location, Fridah's pleas to provide him with food and medicine were ignored by the authorities. In an emotional video appeal, she urged Azimio Leader Raila Odinga to intervene and secure Babu's release, emphasizing that his only "crime" was fighting for the rights of Kenyans.

Fridah also requested that the government allow her to access Babu, as he was reportedly unwell at the time of his arrest.

As of the time of reporting, the police had not issued any official statement regarding Babu's arrest or the charges, if any, against him. Azimio released a statement on July 19, calling for the immediate release of Babu Owino and other Kenyans who had been detained during the ongoing anti-government protests.