Justice Finally Served as Ex-Migori Governor Okoth Obado Found Guilty of Sharon Otieno's Murder

Former Migori Governor Okoth Obado and his co-accused, Michael Oyamo and Caspal Obiero, have been found guilty of the murder of university student Sharon Otieno, bringing an end to one of Kenya's most high-profile criminal trials.

Justice Cecilia Githua delivered the long-awaited judgment after hearing testimony from 42 prosecution witnesses, considering 81 exhibits, and receiving final submissions. The court held that the evidence presented established that the three accused acted in concert, with each playing a distinct role in the commission of the offence. Obado financed the execution of the crime, Oyamo played a key role in its execution, while Obiero participated in concealing the offence.

Justice Githua held that Obado had a strong motive to ensure that his illicit relationship with Sharon remained hidden from the public, making him a beneficiary of her death. The judge further held that Obado's absence from Migori County on the day Sharon was killed did not shield him from criminal liability, saying the evidence showed he was involved in planning and facilitating the murder despite being in Nairobi.

Sharon was abducted, raped, and killed while 28 weeks pregnant in September 2018. She was a student at Rongo University. The case has followed Obado through two gubernatorial terms, criminal proceedings, and years of adjournments that Sharon's family endured as they waited for a verdict.

Following their conviction, the judge cancelled the three men's bonds after the prosecution sought to have them remanded in custody pending sentencing. The courtroom was sombre as the verdict was read a sharp contrast to earlier in the day when Obado had been received jubilantly by a group of supporters in the corridors of the court. Justice Githua ordered the three to remain in custody until August 18, 2026, when the matter will be mentioned virtually, with pre-sentence and victim assessment reports to be filed within 21 days.

The conviction does not yet carry a sentence that comes next. But for Sharon Otieno's family, who sat quietly on their side of the courtroom as the verdict was delivered, July 23 marked the moment a court finally said, beyond reasonable doubt, what happened to her and who was responsible.