“I was Arrested for Selling Chang’aa in Nyalenda” – Babu Owino

Student Organisation of Nairobi University (SONU) Chairman Babu Owino has revealed how he slept in Kisumu Central Police Station severally for selling illicit brew.
The controversial student leader was speaking to eDaily, about his life growing up in Nyalenda slums.
“I grew up in Nyalenda slums in Kisumu. I attended Central Primary School where I scored 401 marks out of the possible 500 in KCPE. I went to Kisumu Boys’ High School where I got A- mean grade of 79 points out of the possible 84,” he said.
“I then won a scholarship to join A-levels at Millennium Academy and got a distinction. Thereafter I joined University of Nairobi to pursue a course in Actuarial Science. I got First Class honors. Now I am pursuing my second degree in law at UoN. I am in third year,” he added.
He went on to narrate how his mother sold chang’aa to raise money for school fees.
“It(life in Nyalenda)  was not a walk in the park. My mum was selling chang’aa to raise us up and to pay our school fees.
I have two other siblings – my elder sister and brother. I am the last born. Growing up in Nyalenda, times were hard as policemen would come and beat people in their houses. I could see my mum being whipped.
I slept in Kisumu’s Central Police Station severally as I was – time and again – arrested for selling chang’aa. That was the only means that I could use to raise school fees. But through God’s work I managed and at least I am where I am now.”
In the interview, Babu also revealed how much he is paid as SONU Chairman.
“You cannot say I am being paid as SONU Chair. But it is some sort of appreciation of about KSh6, 500 per month for executive members. And for congresses it is KSh2, 500 and members of secretariat are paid KSh3, 000. Averagely every month I take home the KSh 6, 500 – of which I send it to fellow students who are not able to foot their school fee balances.
There is allowance that comes from executive meetings. For one meeting, each executive member receives KSh1, 000 depending on the number of sessions. So, every month I can take home nearly KSh20, 000 or more.”
Additional Reporting on eDaily.