Former Migori Governor Okoth Obado has been found guilty of murdering 26-year-old university student Sharon Otieno, whose killing shocked Kenya in 2018. A court ruled that Obado and two others were involved in planning and carrying out the murder of the pregnant student.
Highlights
- Okoth Obado and two co-accused were convicted over Sharon Otieno’s murder.
- Otieno’s body was found in a thicket in western Kenya in 2018.
- The court said Obado helped organise and finance the killing.
- The case sparked national discussions on violence against women.
- The three suspects will await sentencing while in custody.
Main Story
Court Finds Obado Guilty
Former Migori Governor Okoth Obado has been convicted for the murder of Sharon Otieno, a university student who was found dead in 2018.
Judge Cecilia Githua ruled that Obado was involved in organising the killing, saying he provided motivation and resources for the crime.
Two other accused individuals, Obado’s former personal assistant Michael Oyamo and former county clerk Caspal Obiero, were also found guilty.
The court said Oyamo helped execute the plan, while Obiero assisted with logistics and efforts to hide evidence.
A Case That Shocked Kenya
Otieno’s murder attracted national attention after her body was discovered in a bush outside a town in western Kenya.
At the time of her death, she was pregnant and had been linked to Obado through an alleged relationship.
The case gained further attention after journalist Barack Oduor revealed that Otieno had contacted him about her relationship with the then-governor before they were attacked.
Oduor survived the incident after escaping from the vehicle used during the abduction, while Otieno was later found dead.
Evidence Presented in Court
Prosecutors relied on testimony from 42 witnesses and other evidence to build their case.
Investigators linked the vehicle used in the abduction to the accused, saying its tracking system had been switched off and later reactivated in what they described as an attempt to hide its movements.
The prosecution argued that the murder was connected to Otieno’s pregnancy, which they said had caused conflict between her and Obado.
Family Welcomes Verdict
A lawyer representing Otieno’s family welcomed the conviction, saying justice had finally been achieved after years of waiting.
Obado had previously denied involvement in the murder, while his lawyer argued that although the relationship between the two was known, it did not prove wrongdoing.
However, the court rejected the defence and found the evidence sufficient to convict all three accused.
The verdict brings a long-awaited moment of accountability, but it also serves as a reminder of the need to protect lives and fight violence in all forms.
