Court Quashes Order Compelling MP Babu Owino to Foot DJ Evolve’s Medical Bill

A Nairobi court on Tuesday slashed Embakasi East MP Babu Owino’s cash bail from Sh10 million to Sh5 million in a case in which he is charged over the alleged shooting of Felix Orinda, alias DJ Evolve.

High Court Justice Luka Kimaru further faulted a decision by the lower court ordering MP Babu to foot the medical bill of DJ Evolve.

Justice Kimaru noted that it was improper for the accused person to be ordered to cover the hospital bill because he remains innocent until found guilty. He added that MP Babu can pay for DJ Evolve’s treatment as a moral obligation and not through an order from the court.

Having already paid Sh4.4 million to the court, Justice Kimaru ordered Babu to pay the remaining Sh600,000 to secure his release.

A magistrate’s court had in January released Babu on a cash bail of Sh10 million, paid in four installments of Sh2.5 million each over four months. Chief Magistrate Francis Andayi said the amount would be used to settle the victim’s treatment.

But Babu filed an application at the High Court seeking to have the amount reviewed, saying he would struggle to raise Sh10 million. 
As of February 23rd, 2020, DJ Evolve’s medical bill at the Nairobi Hospital, where he is still admitted to date, stood at Sh7 million.

Babu is accused of shooting DJ Evolve on the neck at B-Club in Nairobi’s Kilimani area on January 17th. He pleaded not guilty to charges of attempted murder and disorderly behavior while carrying a firearm.