‘Bigballs’ is a term coined by students of the university of Nairobi to refer to former SONU Chairman Babu Owino. It is a term for the stealth student leader. A dynamo who is feared at worst and revered at best.
The country’s police force has known no other boss since Mohammed Ali and Eric Kiraithe left the scene but Mutea Iringo. The former internal security PS in the Kibaki government is among the few powermen who maintained their positions and influence in the Uhuru regime. He is part of the ‘parallel state’; a cable of top senior government officials who are above the law.
Did you hear President Uhuru complain of sabotage and corruption at OP? Yes, Iringo is a top honcho in the office of the president based at Harambee House. He is powerful; he is vengeful and he is ruthless, politically speaking. His other friend is Francis Kimemia.
And now, police officers must comply with a court order but one in which even the bravest of them is said to be ducking! No police officer wants to arrest Mutea Iringo. A judge issued an arrest warrant against Iringo earlier today. Iringo, their boss, is a mafia; a big shot, and boys are lost on what to do!
To purport to arrest Iringo is to play with fire. It is a tall order. It is a tough call.
“Afande wameshindwa. Huyu jamaa ndio serikali na hakuna anayetaka kufukuzwa kazi kesho,” a senior police at Central Police Station in Nairobi has told this writer.
The problem is, police officers fear retribution. Many know Mutea Iringo cannot be axed by the courts. He cannot be moved. He is their boss and they work at his mercy. Already, this is the third warrant of arrest being issued; the other two, none could effect.
Iringo has big balls. He is a big fish. No police officer, earning some Ksh 23,000, wants to lose his job. Many are simply saying: spare me please!