DNK International By Our Reporter,Nairobi
Paul Ongili Owino, popularly known as Babu Owino, was born on October 10, 1989 in Nyalenda,slum Kisumu County.
He hails from a humble family.
His father passed on when he was young, leaving his mother to raise him and his siblings under challenging circumstances, experiences that later shaped his passion for justice and activism.
Owino’s educational journey began at Kisumu township Primary School and Kisumu Boys Secondary School, where his academic excellence earned him a direct place at the University of Nairobi (UoN) in 2008.
He graduated in 2012 with a first class honours degree in Actuarial Science and later remained at UoN to pursue a Law degree, completing it before being admitted to the Roll of Advocates of the High Court of Kenya on May 23 2025, a milestone he described as sharpening his tools for public service.
While still a student, Owino cut his political teeth in activism as Chairperson of the Students Organisation of Nairobi University (SONU), a position he first won in 2011 and held through multiple terms by demonstrating aggressive, grassroots leadership focused on student welfare and protest.
His transition to national politics came in 2017, when he clinched the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) ticket and was elected Member of Parliament (MP) for Embakasi East Constituency, a seat he retained in 2022, cementing his reputation as one of Kenya’s most influential young politicians.
His legislative record includes championing education reforms, student welfare bills, youth empowerment, and digital mentorship initiatives, such as online learning platforms that have drawn widespread public attention.
Owino’s public life, however, has been marked by contentious legal battles.
The most notorious incident occurred in January 2020, when he was arrested and charged with attempted murder for shooting an unarmed nightclub DJ Evolve at close range in Kilimani, Nairobi.
The case triggered national outrage, extensive media coverage, and legal scrutiny.
After prolonged proceedings and a plea agreement that included meeting the victim’s medical needs, the prosecution’s attempted murder charge was later reduced, and a court ultimately acquitted him in 2023 after Owino agreed to settle the matter out of court.
He agreed to provide financial support for DJ Evolve’ s treatment and well being.
As part of the agreement,Owino paid Sh23 Million for his medical expenses,including a Sh18 million apartment in Kilimani and employed medical professionals to take care for him.
He also committed to setting up a DJ academy for DJ Evolve and providing financial support for his living expenses.
DJ Evolve has since forgiven the MP and is focusing on his recovery, education and studying coding.
Beyond that, Owino has faced multiple other charges linked to incitement, and offensive conduct related to politics and protests.
Some have been dismissed by the courts.
As the 2027 elections loom, Owino’s ambition has expanded beyond parliament.
Within ODM,now navigating a leadership vacuum after the passing of its founder Raila Odinga,his name frequently emerges in discussions about party leadership succession, owing to his deep support among younger voters and his standing in Luo Nyanza’s political landscape.
A few days ago,a matter that’s under police investigations,Owino was engaged in a heated restaurant confrontation with Kileleshwa MCA Robert Alai in Nairobi, during which Alai allegedly drew a firearm on him.
This incident has added another twist to his highly scrutinised public profile.
For Owino to mount a credible bid for the Governor’s seat in Nairobi in 2027, multiple analysts suggest that he must broaden his appeal beyond his core youth and activist base, build alliances across diverse communities in the capital and articulate clear solutions to urban challenges like housing, transport, security and unemployment.
Despite the controversies, Owino’s oratory and combative style have produced memorable remarks that resonate with his supporters from championing the marginalized to challenging establishment powers and he remains a defining figure in Kenya’s youthful political class.
Away from politics,Owino is a family man,married to Frida Muthoni with whom he has children.
Love him or loathe him,Babu Owino remains one of the most talked about figures of his generation,widely popular,deeply polarizing and undeniably influential in shaping Kenya’s evolving political discourse.
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🗓️ [DNK-International @January 7, 2025]
