Women's rights advocates welcome Obado's conviction over Sharon's murder

Women's rights advocates have welcomed Thursday's conviction of former Migori Governor Okoth Obado over the murder of university student Sharon Otieno, describing the ruling as a landmark step in the fight against femicide in Kenya.

Obado was found guilty alongside his former personal assistant, Michael Oyamo, and Caspal Obiero, over the killing of the 26-year-old, who was abducted, raped and killed while 28 weeks pregnant, on September 3 and 4, 2018, in Owade, Homa Bay County.

Delivering the judgment, Justice Cecilia Githua said the evidence "irresistibly points" to the fact that the accused, with malice aforethought, unlawfully caused Sharon's death.

"It's, therefore, my finding that the prosecution has proved its case against the first (Obado), the second, and the third accused persons beyond reasonable doubt. I consequently find each accused person guilty of the offence of murder," she ruled.

Dr Nancy Baraza, who chaired the Presidential Task Force on Gender-Based Violence including Femicide, said the judgment was a strong warning to those hell-bent on committing femicide.

"This country has lost and continues to lose women to those who do not value the lives and dignity of women," she said.

Brenda Yambo, senior legal counsel at the Federation of Women Lawyers-Kenya (Fida-Kenya), welcomed the judgment, saying it demonstrated that nobody is above the law and restored confidence in the court and the judicial system.

She said the judgment affirmed that justice would ultimately prevail for women and girls who had undergone gender-based violence, adding that Sharon's family had endured a long journey and had finally seen justice served.

Fida-Kenya, she said, would continue supporting women and girls seeking access to justice.

George Kegoro, a prominent Kenyan lawyer and human rights defender, described the conviction as "big, very big."

"It vindicates the increasingly beleaguered Kenyan judiciary, reaffirms faith in the justice system and constitutes a victory for the movement against femicide," he said.

The Wangu Kanja Foundation also welcomed the judgment.

"Justice has taken a significant step forward," it said. "While no judgment can restore Sharon's life or erase the pain endured by her family and loved ones, this conviction reinforces the principle that no one is above the law. May Sharon Otieno continue to rest in peace."

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