Babu Owino: My version of gun story

Detained Embakasi East MP Babu Owino claims he was provoked when a shooting incident, in which he is linked to, happened at Nairobi’s B-Club joint on Friday morning.

In a statement posted on his official Facebook page on Friday mid-morning (January 17), Owino, who is accused of shooting Felix Orinda, a DJ at B-Club, claims he has been fearing for his life, and that when “aggressive individuals” confronted him at the nightspot, a resultant melee erupted, leading to the shooting.

Owino, however, fails to say in the statement whether he was the one who shot Orinda, or not.

“A few weeks ago, I made a public statement regarding threats that I had been receiving against my life. At the turn of the year, I reported an attempted assassination at the Parliament Police Station under OB number OB21/17/11/2019 at 17:28hrs. I have been living under the weight of intimidation and threats by my political opponents,” said the MP.

“Yesterday [Thursday, January 16], was the culmination of these efforts by my enemies. While enjoying the company of my friends at a popular Nairobi restaurant, I was surrounded by a large group of aggressive individuals. In the melee, there was an exchange of gunfire,” added the lawmaker, shying away from disclosing whether he was the one who shot Orinda.

“I invite the relevant authorities to conduct their investigations without fear or favor, and I remain confident that the truth will come out. I urge my supporters to remain calm. I will continue to serve wananchi fearlessly. This will not deter me from supporting H. E Uhuru Kenyatta and H. E Raila Odinga in the journey to transform our country.”

According to a report filed at the Kilimani Police Station by B-Club’s security manager, George Otieno, Babu Owino whipped out his gun and fired a bullet in Felix Orinda’s neck at 7am inside the nightspot.

Owino was arrested at the hospital, where he had gone to see his alleged victim.

Police say that the gun or cartridge Owino used in the alleged attack are yet to be recovered.

“DCI officers are currently probing the matter, and the suspect will be arraigned once the investigations are concluded,” Nairobi police boss Philip Ndolo told K24 Digital on phone Friday morning.

DCI chief, George Kinoti, says Owino will be charged with attempted murder once the investigations are over.

On Friday mid-morning, police threw a cordon around B-Club, and the MP's vehicle, a Toyota Landcruiser VX, which they treated as scenes of crime.

Owino, who is being held at the Kilimani police post, has hired lawyer Cliff Ombeta to help him in the case.