ODPP explains slow pace in Babu Owino case over DJ Evolve attempted murder

Kenya’s top prosecutor has revealed why the case linking MP Paul Ongili Babu Owino to the attempted murder of Felix Orinda, aka DJ Evolve, has slowed down.



A statement released on Tuesday evening cited the inability of the victim to record a statement following the shooting which affected his speech.



“According to the IO report, the victim is paralyzed and has a speech impediment making it very challenging to record his statement,” the ODPP said on Twitter.



Babu Owino was arraigned in court on 20 January 2020 and charged with attempted murder as well as behaving in a disorderly manner.



He denied the charge and was released on KSh10 million bond with two sureties of same amount and in the alternative, cash bail of KSh5 million.



“The ODPP had vehemently opposed his release on bail/bond.”



Further, the Prosecutor added that the matter was scheduled for mention on 20 March 2020.



However, this was not be following COVID-19 directives issued by the National Council on the Administration of Justice on 16 March 2020 scaling down court operations.



In an interview aired on NTV Kenya on Monday night, a barely audible DJ Evolve intimated that though his health has improved since the shooting incident in January, he has been rendered immobile.



“I have needed medication to help me sleep, I have had flashbacks from that day and it is traumatising,” he said.



“I cannot be able to move my hands past unfolding my fingers, so when I do not have them, I cannot do much as they were my tools of trade, I cannot work.”



Kenyans reacted to the interview taking to Twitter to criticise the slow progress of the case.



While some decried what they termed as inefficiency of the justice system, others argued that once a suspect has been charged the law should be allowed to take its course no matter the duration.



An online petition has also been set up seeking to push for the ouster of Babu Owino from the Embakasi East MP seat.