Babu Owino shows up to Parliament in Advocate's attire, ordered to change

Embakasi East MP Babu Owino was on Tuesday ordered out of the National Assembly chambers after showing up dressed in an advocate’s collar, an attire considered inappropriate under the Parliamentary dress code.

The incident was raised by Mathare MP Anthony Oluoch, who sought guidance from the Speaker over Babu’s dressing.

“Honourable Speaker, you have several issued rulings about the manner in which people must dress themselves. Those rules form part of the tradition of this House,” Oluoch said.

He added: “Is it in order that the Member for Embakasi East walks and sits into the House dressed as if he were the Speaker, save for your gown? This honourable member may have been admitted the other day, but that dressing code may cause confusion.”

Oluoch warned that such attire could mislead others in the chamber: “I may be forced to go and bring my collar and dress as much.

Therefore, I ask Honourable Speaker to give guidance as to whether the Honourable Member for Embakasi East is improperly dressed.”

In his ruling, the Speaker agreed with Oluoch, declaring that Babu was out of order.

“Indeed, Honourable Babu Owino, you are improperly dressed,” the Speaker said. 

“Even your very seniors, the likes of Millie Odhiambo, Senior Counsel Otiende Amollo, Otieno Kajwang’, the ‘Chief Justice’ in quotes, Gladys Shollei, have never turned up dressed like that.”

“I order you to retreat from the House, dress up, and come back,” he directed.

As Babu exited, the Speaker added: “Order, Babu. When you are ordered to leave, you leave without fanfare.”

Babu Owino, who was recently admitted to the roll of advocates, did not speak during the exchange

The MP was among the 609 lawyers who were admitted on May 23, 2025, in what he described as the beginning of a historic chapter of his life.

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

The ceremony was held at the Supreme Court of Kenya and presided over by Chief Justice Martha Koome.

Speaking after being admitted, Babu Owino pledged to offer free legal representation to Kenyans who cannot afford it. 

“This is not for personal glory,” he affirmed that his cases will be on a pro bono basis. “It is for you, that Kenyan who is suffering somewhere, who is looking for justice.”