MP Babu Owino Acquitted of Attempted Murder Charges in the Shooting of DJ Evolve

Embakasi East MP Babu Owino has had attempted murder charges against him withdrawn.

This comes after the complainant Felix Orinda, alias DJ Evolve, filed an application to withdraw the case, saying he did not wish to proceed with the matter. 

Senior Principal Magistrate Bernard Ochoi on Tuesday noted that the accused and the complainant were friends before the shooting incident and have maintained the same afterward.

The magistrate added that even though the court was not involved in the negotiations, the accused has been undertaking certain obligations towards the welfare of the complainant, who agreed on an out-of-court settlement.

“And since he had expressed his wish to withdraw the case, we would not want to stand on his way. It is noted that the accused and complainant were friends before the incident and appear to have maintained the same even after the incident.”

"Taking all the above into account I have come to the conclusion that this is a matter where the court should encourage reconciliation as envisaged in the Constitution and therefore I will allow the withdrawal against the accused in count one...the accused is acquitted,” ruled Magistrate Ochoi.

Owino, who is accused of shooting DJ Evolve at B-Club in Kilimani, Nairobi in January 2020, will still face charges of disorderly behavior while carrying a firearm.

Following the shooting, Orinda was admitted to Nairobi Hospital for six months where he underwent multiple surgeries before he was discharged to recuperate at home.

MP Owino was later arrested and charged with attempted murder and disorderly behavior while carrying a firearm. He denied the charges and was released on a Sh5 million cash bail. 

In August, the first-time MP said Orinda was doing well and could start walking soon.