Editor's Review

Okoth Obado, along with 10 individuals and 7 companies, has requested a plea bargain deal in a Ksh73 million corruption case.

Former Migori Governor Okoth Obado, along with 10 individuals and 7 companies, has requested a plea bargain deal in a Ksh73 million corruption case.

In a statement on Tuesday, July 1, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) said Obado’s lawyer told the court that the accused are engaged in ongoing negotiations with ODPP and the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) in pursuit of a Plea Bargain agreement.

"The accused persons made a formal application for Plea Bargaining on 25th April 2025 through a written request addressed to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.

"Following the request, meetings have been held involving the accused persons, their advocates, the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission, and the prosecution team to deliberate on the Plea Bargaining proposal," the statement read.

The discussions, according to the ODPP, are focused on specific aspects of the case.

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"The deliberations are ongoing, and they are centred around possible restitution of public funds, admissions of culpability by the accused persons, and possible withdrawal of some of the charges," the statement added.

File image of Okoth Obado

The accused individuals are Obado, Dan Achola Okoth, Scarlet Susan Okoth, Jerry Zachary Okoth and Evelyne Adhiambo Zachary.

Others are Jared Peter Odoyo, Christine Akinyi, Joram Opala, Ochanda Patroba, Penina Auma, and Carolyne Anyango. 

The seven companies involved in the case are Misoft Limited, Tarchdog Printers Limited, Kajulu Business Limited, Victorious Investments Limited, Deltrack ICT Services Ltd., Swyfcon Engineering Limited, and Dolphus Software Limited.

They face multiple counts including conflict of interest, money laundering, and unlawful acquisition of public property. 

The offences are alleged to have occurred between October 29, 2014, and October 18, 2016, during Obado’s tenure as governor of Migori County.

After considering the submissions, Principal Magistrate Charles Ondieki granted the request for more time.

"The request for adjournment is hereby granted. The matter will be mentioned on 3rd September 2025 for further directions and to evaluate the progress of the Plea Bargaining discussions," the statement concluded.