This archive report was first published on 9 July 2020.
On July 9, 2020, a Kenyan magistrate issued a gag order in the attempted murder case against Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, barring the Director of Public Prosecutions, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, and the media from discussing the case merits until August 8.
The order was issued by Senior Principal Magistrate Bernard Ochoi after Owino's lawyers sought the court's intervention to bar discussion of the matter outside the court.
According to reports, Owino is alleged to have shot and seriously injured DJ Evolve, real name Felix Orinda, at B club in Kilimani on January 17. He was charged with attempted murder and freed on bond.
Lawyer Cliff Ombeta raised an objection, accusing the office of the DPP of inciting Embakasi East constituents to recall Owino as Member of Parliament.
"The DPP has gone publicly on record asking the members of his constituency to recall him. He has gone out of his mandate and therefore if he is going to stand here he needs to avoid that political angle," Ombeta said.
