Why ODM lawyers deserted MP Babu Owino in court case – Weekly Citizen

Orange Democratic Party leader Raila Odinga is said to have ordered ODM MPs not to visit or show solidarity with embattled Embakasi East MP Babu Owino after he was arrested and charged with attempted murder and misuse of a lethal firearm.

Orange party MPs did not visit the MP for the two weeks he was incarcerated in the cells and neither did they show up in solidarity when he was released on January 28 from detention at the Industrial Area Remand Prison.

He was left to step out after he posted his first installment of Sh2.5 million cash bail as directed by Milimani chief magistrate Francis Andayi who also gave stiff conditions to the youthful MP.

On January 27, the legislator was granted cash bail of Sh10 million in his attempted murder case, with the amount spread to be paid in four installments over a four-month period.

In the ruling, the court said the cash bail would be used to settle the hospital bills of victim DJ Evolve, whose real name is Felix Odhiambo Orinda.

He was also barred from consuming alcohol or any other form of narcotics for the duration of his court case.

According to sources, Raila ordered the ODM MPs not to visit Babu in the cells for the party to demonstrate that it was opposed to his action of shooting an innocent man.

Babu, a vocal opposition legislator and a warrior in ODM leader Raila’s army, was accused of shooting DJ Evolve at B Club in Kilimani, Nairobi.

The DJ is said to be in stable but critical condition as he recovers at Nairobi Hospital.

When the MP appeared in court, only Mathare MP Anthony Oluoch and nominated senator Beatrice Kwamboka showed up.

This was unlike in the past when a battery of ODM MPs who double up as lawyers such as Siaya senator James Orengo and Ruaraka MP TJ Kajwang’ among others, would show up to represent any of their members charged in court.

This time, the task was left to lawyers Cliff Ombeta, Dunstan Omari and Duncan Okatchi.

Raila, sources added, did not want to severe his cordial relations with Uhuru Kenyatta by supporting those breaking the law.

Babu’s latest arrest was not the first time he has been a guest of the state. He has been banned from drinking liquor and smoking in public.

In January 2018, he was arrested and charged with assaulting and causing bodily harm to a parking attendant at an entertainment joint in Westlands.

He spent two days in custody before Nairobi senator Johnson Sakajja secured his release.

When he appeared in court, he was represented by Orengo.

In his previous run-ins with the law, ODM senator fought tooth and nail to have Babu released.

But this time round, Babu lived a life of solitude in remand and even Raila did not bother to visit him or send any representative though, he has been a diehard supporter of the ODM leader.

Ombeta

Sources say Raila is now uncomfortable with Babu’s sentiments in the past where he indirectly referred to Uhuru as “a son of bitch” (mtoto wa mbwa) even though when the words were uttered Raila laughed heartily until one could see his last molar from a kilometre away. That insult had Uhuru’s mother Mama Ngina declaring total war on the troublesome MP.

The sentiments saw police descend on him and arrest him before he was paraded in court.

Groups believed to be supporters of Uhuru staged protests along Thika Road at Githurai, Juja Town, Thika Town, Githunguri, Limuru, Githurai, Ruiru and Gatundu and Kiambu town calling for the arrest of the MP.

The demonstrators said the MP must also apologise to the president and his mother, saying the remarks were a show of lack of respect.