Babu Owino freed after paying Ksh.2.5M cash bail

Embakasi East Member of Parliament (MP) Babu Owino has been released after paying the first installment of his cash bail.

The controversial legislator was freed on Tuesday evening after the processing of his bail which was granted on Monday.

Appearing before a Nairobi court on Monday, Mr. Owino was slapped with a cash bail of Ksh.10 million in the case where he is accused of  shooting Felix Orinda popularly known as DJ Evolve.

In a quite unusual bail ruling, Chief Magistrate Francis Andayi directed that the Ksh.10 million be paid in four installments of Ksh.2.5 million for the next four months; further that the lawmaker would only be released after paying the first installment of Ksh.2.5 million.

The Magistrate noted that the money will be used to settle the victim’s medical bill with the amount that remains unused serving as bail.

Babu Owino was further prohibited from indulging in any form of narcotics or alcohol in a public establishment.

The victim’s family had opposed Babu Owino’s release, saying they are majorly concerned about the security of their DJ Evolve and that of other family members.

It was the family’s view that Babu Owino “wields a lot of power and may use the same to subvert justice.”

“Their plea to the court is that if the same is granted, other protective measures should be instituted to ensure the security of the victim, family and also to safeguard against witness interference,” the family said, according to the bail assessment report.

However, the magistrate noted that denying the accused bail will be tantamount to the accused person pulling out of taking care of the patient.

The 25-year-old DJ is admitted at the Critical Care Unit at Nairobi Hospital where he is nursing a gunshot on the neck. The court was told that at the moment, the victim cannot move his hands and legs.

According to the prosecution, while preparing the bail assessment report, the victim was interviewed in his ward where he is said to have voiced concerns  over his safety.

“I am tired, I am in pain and am traumatised. I don’t want to talk and I cannot fathom anything. I have not slept for days because I am scared of my life and future,” DJ Evolve said, as quoted in the bail assessment report.

Babu Owino is charged with attempted murder and behaving disorderly while carrying a firearm at B Club where he shot and wounded DJ Evolve on January 17.