On January 30, 2025, the High Court ruled that former Migori Governor Okoth Obado, along with his former personal assistant Michael Oyamo and former Migori County clerk Caspal Obiero, have a case to answer in the 2018 murder of university student Sharon Otieno.
This ruling means that the prosecution has provided sufficient evidence for the case to proceed to the defence stage. However, Obado was acquitted on the charge of murdering Sharon’s unborn child.
The trial has involved extensive testimony, including from a Safaricom employee who confirmed that Obado was not at the scene of the crime based on mobile phone triangulation data, placing him in Nairobi during the time of the murder.
Additionally, DNA evidence showed a 99.99% chance that Obado was the father of Sharon Otieno’s unborn child.
The trial has faced several delays, including postponements due to the deaths of Caspal Obiero’s family members in a road accident and lawyers’ absences due to other commitments.
The prosecution closed its case, arguing that there is enough evidence to show a network of collaboration among the accused leading to the murder.
The defence, represented by Senior Counsel Kioko Kilukumi, among others, has maintained that there’s no direct evidence linking Obado to the murder, emphasising the relationship and financial support Obado provided to Sharon Otieno, suggesting these do not equate to criminal intent or involvement in the murder.
This trial has been closely followed due to its high-profile nature, involving a former county governor and the tragic circumstances of Sharon Otieno’s death. The case continues to be a significant point of interest in Kenyan legal and public spheres.
