Drama at Nairobi restaurant after Robert Alai allegedly pulls gun on Babu Owino

Drama at Nairobi restaurant after Robert Alai allegedly pulls gun on Babu Owino

Kileleshwa MCA Robert Alai was involved in a serious gun altercation with Embakasi East MP Babu Owino at an upscale Nairobi restaurant, in an incident that adds a new and alarming chapter to Owino’s history of firearm-related controversies, most notably the case involving DJ Evolve.

Trouble erupted after the two politicians unexpectedly ran into each other at a popular eating spot in Kilimani, Cedars Lebanese Restaurant. They had arrived separately.

According to eyewitnesses, Babu Owino was engaged in a lunch meeting with an unidentified man when Alai walked into the establishment, spotted him and strode directly to his table.

A heated verbal confrontation ensued, during which Alai accused Owino of using popular online activist Maverick Aoko to tarnish his wife’s reputation.

Aoko has recently posted a series of stinging and personal messages on social media platform X targeting Alai’s wife.

“Owino, in his defence, said he does not know Alai’s wife personally and has absolutely no reason to malign her,” said a witness seated at the bar.

The situation escalated when Alai, appearing enraged, allegedly drew his pistol, cocked it and pointed it at Owino before attempting to pull the trigger several times in quick succession.

“Fortunately, the gun was not properly cocked and jammed. At that point, a senior police officer who was having lunch at the same bar sprang into action and wrestled the gun from Alai,” the source said.

The officer who intervened was Mohamed Amin Shurie, the head of financial crimes at the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).

A visibly shaken Alai left the restaurant immediately after being disarmed, while a rattled Owino also departed moments later after regaining his composure.

Efforts by The Sunday Standard to reach Alai for comment were unsuccessful, as he did not answer calls to his mobile phone.

Owino’s lawyer said he would consult his client and issue a statement, but none had been received by the time of going to press.

The incident has reignited public attention on Owino’s troubled history with firearms. Most notably, in January 2020, he was arrested and charged with the attempted murder of Felix Orinda, popularly known as DJ Evolve.

The shooting occurred at B-Club in Kilimani, where Owino allegedly shot the DJ in the neck. DJ Evolve survived but suffered severe spinal cord injuries that left him permanently wheelchair-bound and in need of constant medical care.

The case has faced numerous court hearings and delays. In a controversial development, DJ Evolve’s family later filed an affidavit seeking to withdraw the attempted murder charges, sparking public outrage and claims of coercion or an out-of-court settlement.

Despite this, the State proceeded with lesser charges of behaving in a disorderly manner while armed. Owino has consistently maintained that the shooting was accidental.