Mixed reactions after Babu Owino vows to take 50 percent salary pay cut over coronavirus

Embakasi East Member of Parliament Babu Owino on Wednesday March 25 vowed to take a 50 percent salary pay cut following the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in the country.

The legislator made the announcement hours after President Uhuru Kenyatta asked Executives to take voluntary pay cuts.

“I will donate 50% of my Salary to help fight Corona Virus,” Babu Owino posted on his social media handles.

On Wednesday evening, the President asked Cabinet Secretaries and Chief Administrative secretaries to take 30 percent pay cuts while Public secretaries were asked to take 20 percent pay cuts.

Despite Babu Owino’s good gesture to take a 50 percent pay cut, some Kenyans on Twitter asked him to clear Felix Orinde’s alias DJ Evolve hospital bill.

The MP was arrested on Friday, January 17, 2020, for allegedly shooting the 25-year-old DJ.

The Embasaki East MP was arraigned in court, and in his ruling, Milimani Chief Magistrate Francis Andayi directed Babu Owino to deposit Sh10 million cash bail in four equal installments of Sh2.5 million each in the next three months.

The Magistrate said that some of the money would be used to settle DJ Evolve’s medical bills.

However, on Tuesday March 3, Justice Luka Kimaru said there were no compelling reasons to deny Babu Owino bail adding that he is not obliged to continue paying the DJ’s medical bill.

"The accused person should continue paying the hospital bill as a moral duty to him, not as a court order...if he fails to pay it is up to him,” said Justice Kimaru.

A section of Kenyans took to Twitter and asked the legislator to help clear DJ Evolve’s hospital bill, which rose to over Sh7million, before taking a pay cut over coronavirus.

Here’s what some of them had to say;

Bravin Yuri: Hopefully DJ Evolve's Bill is also part of this. He is a vulnerable person especially during this pandemic.

Edwin Obara: Hello Babu. Please fight your ego and swallow your arrogance to begin settling Felix Orinda's aka DJ Evolve's hospital bills that have since escalated. DJ Evolve wouldn't have been lying there today if you never got baselessly reckless with your firearm. Always remember that.

Captain Lawi: It makes completely no sense for you to donate 50% to fight corona virus and there is DJ Evolve whom you shot still has unpaid bills. Stop being sarcastic

Stephen Owiko: Good gesture but ungemaliza hospital bill ya DJ Evolve kwanza

Martin Mungai: Our Government will sort this Corona virus issues, just clear DJ Evolve hospital bill and stop bragging yourself here.

On the other hand, some Kenyans thanked the legislator for his kind gesture despite DJ Evolve’s situation.

Ndaru Joseph says,”Good people, let us learn how to appreciate good gestures from people, irrespective of their prior mistakes. I think  @HEBabuOwino's gesture is undoubtedly recommendable! We are not God to judge him every time, even when he is right. God bless you sir!!!!”

His sentiments were echoed by Gali Mwangangi who says,”Negative comments will not move mheshimiwa @HEBabuOwino. Innocent until proven guilty. If you are without blemish, be the first to cast the stone. Good job mheshimiwa. Embakasi East loves you.”

Wakanda says, “Let's applaud Babu Owino's philanthropic gesture and stop criticising him about DJ Evolve 's thing. Every saint has a past.”