Embakasi East Member of Parliament Babu Owino addressed the lingering criticism surrounding the 2020 shooting of Felix Orinda, popularly known as DJ Evolve.
The high-profile incident, which occurred at Nairobi’s B-Club, initially saw the lawmaker charged with the misuse of a firearm. However, the court acquitted him in August 2023, citing poor investigations by the prosecution and significant gaps in the ballistic evidence.
During his Monday remarks, Babu acknowledged the gravity of the event while advocating for a shift in how the public views his accountability.
“This has been a serious issue… something happened. It was quite unfortunate,” Babu said.
The MP confronted the public outcry head-on, even validating those who believe he deserves a harsher sentence. He argued that while the legal system offers punishment, he has chosen a path focused on making amends.
“I took responsibility as a leader. People are saying, ‘in a working state, Babu should be in jail’. I agree, I should be in jail, I agree. But there are different types of justice. There is the retributive justice that says ‘punish’… then there is restorative justice,” he added.
The lawmaker further revealed that he has shouldered staggering medical costs to support the injured DJ’s recovery. According to the MP, he has turned to bank loans and his Sacco to cover expenses that have now climbed to nearly Sh70 million. He noted that maintaining Orinda’s specialized care remains a massive financial undertaking, costing approximately Sh500,000 every month.
Despite the steep road to recovery, the MP shared a positive update on Orinda’s progress, noting that his health has improved significantly. The DJ is currently awaiting further physiotherapy with the hope of eventually getting back on his feet.
For the Embakasi East representative, the 2020 shooting served as a profound “Damascus moment” that forced him to overhaul his lifestyle. He revealed that he has remained entirely sober since the incident, leaving behind a past marked by substance abuse.
“It changed my life for the better. I used to drink, I used to take hard drugs… anything that could make anyone high. I stopped everything,” he said.
Reflecting on the tragedy, the MP suggested that the ordeal served as a painful catalyst for transformation for both men, noting, “It was meant to change both of us. Felix also stopped consuming alcohol.”
Babu Owino maintained that the shooting was a tragic accident rather than an act of malice, asserting that no conflict existed between him and the DJ. According to the MP, the two were on good terms when the incident occurred, stemming from a simple conversation about the firearm.
“Felix did not annoy me. He did not do anything wrong to me. Felix just asked me about the item [gun], that ‘is it fake or genuine?’ I just removed it to show. There was nothing wrong that happened between Felix and me. That is why he forgave me,” he said.
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