The High Court has set September 16, 2026, for the sentencing of former Migori Governor Okoth Obado and his two co-accused following their conviction over the murder of university student Sharon Otieno.
Obado, his former Personal Assistant Michael Oyamo and former Migori County Clerk Caspal Obiero were found guilty of Sharon’s murder after the court determined that the prosecution had presented sufficient evidence linking the three to the killing.
The verdict was delivered on Thursday, July 23, by Lady Justice Cecilia Githua, who ruled that the prosecution had proved its case against all three accused persons beyond reasonable doubt.
"It is therefore my finding that the prosecution has proved its case against the first, the second and third accused persons beyond reasonable doubt.
"I consequently find each accused person guilty of the offence of murder contrary to Section 203 of the Penal Code as charged in count one. Each accused is accordingly convicted under section 322 of the Criminal Procedure Code," the Judge declared.
Read More
Justice Githua further outlined the roles she found each of the three accused persons to have played in the murder, stating that their actions demonstrated preparation, participation and a shared intention to carry out the crime.
"The first accused supplied motive, instigation, and funds to finance the criminal enterprise. The second accused facilitated the execution while the third accused ensured logistical support and concealment to avoid detection of the offence.
"Inherent in these roles were acts of preparation and concealment denoting knowledge, participation, premeditation, and intention to execute their common intention that led to the death of Sharon," she ruled.
The court had earlier found that Obado had a motive to eliminate Otieno after learning that she was pregnant with his child.
Justice Githua said the former governor was concerned about protecting his reputation and concealing his relationship with Sharon.
"I am persuaded to agree that to, to eradicate the imminent threat of having the possibility, of having the possibility of having his name or reputation dragged through the mud by publication in the mainstream media of this relationship with Sharon, the first accused instigated a scheme to eliminate Sharon, and use, and using his influence as the Governor of Migori County, he must, he enlisted the services of his trusted aides: the second accused, who was his Personal Assistant," the Judge ruled.
Justice Githua also rejected Obado’s claim that he had accepted Sharon’s pregnancy and was comfortable with the situation, finding that the assertion was not sincere.
Obado, Oyamo and Obiero remain in custody pending the sentencing proceedings.
