Former Migori Governor Okoth Obado, his former personal assistant and one other have been found guilty of murdering university student Sharon Otieno, bringing to a close a trial that has gripped the country for more than seven years.
While reading her decision, Justice Cecilia Githua said the evidence irresistibly points to the fact that the accused persons, with malice aforethought, unlawfully caused the death of Sharon.
"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 said.
Sharon Otieno murder convicts Michael Oyamo, Caspal Obiero and ex-Migori Governor Okoth Obado in the dock on July 23, 2026.
Photo credit: Bonface Bogita | Nation Media Group
After she read the verdict, the courtroom was sombre and a man could be heard wailing, a sharp contrast to hours earlier when Obado was received jubilantly by a group of his supporters. He shook their hands and was all smiles.
Sharon Otieno murder case: Ex-governor Okoth Obado is received by supporters in court
Sharon's family and friends, however, quietly sat on their side of the courtroom awaiting the ruling.
Following their conviction, the judge cancelled the three men's bonds after the prosecution sought to have them remanded in custody pending sentencing. This means the trio will remain behind bars.
Sharon was abducted, raped and killed while 28 weeks pregnant in September 2018.
The late Sharon Otieno.
Photo credit: Pool
The judge delivered the long-awaited judgment after hearing testimony from 42 prosecution witnesses, considering 81 exhibits and receiving final submissions from both the prosecution and the defence.
They were charged with the murder of the 26-year-old, who was killed on September 3 and 4, 2018, in Owade, Homa Bay County.
The late Sharon Otieno. Former Migori Governor Okoth Obado and two co-accused have been convicted of murdering the university student.
Photo credit: Pool
The court said Obado supplied motive, instigation and funds to finance the killing, while Obiero assured logistical support and concealment to avoid detection of the offence.
The court rejected Obado's claim that he had accepted the pregnancy and continued supporting Sharon financially.
Justice Githua found that although Obado admitted learning of the pregnancy in March 2018, he became evasive, withdrew financial support and sought to prevent the affair from becoming public.
"It cannot be a coincidence that he developed concern when publication emerged. Obado clearly wanted to contain it from the scope it had reached,” the court observed.
The court found that Sharon had repeatedly demanded that Obado publicly acknowledge the pregnancy and provide her with a house, a car and employment, failure to which she would expose the relationship.
"I am persuaded to agree with the prosecution that the money given to Sharon through XYZ and Oyamo was not genuinely intended for her wellbeing, but to manage or make Sharon abandon her bid to make the relationship public, as they devised a scheme to eliminate her," she ruled.
Evidence from Sharon's close friend, identified as PW30, showed that Obado had urged Sharon to terminate the pregnancy, giving her Sh30,000 for an abortion and directing her to deal with Oyamo on all matters relating to the pregnancy.
The witness also testified that Sharon played her audio recordings of conversations with Obado in which he pleaded with her not to publish their photographs on social media and repeatedly urged her to procure an abortion because "time was running out."
The court also relied on testimony from family friend Lawrence, who attempted to mediate between the two after Obado admitted knowing about the pregnancy.
According to the evidence, Obado promised to buy Sharon land and build her a house if she abandoned plans to expose the affair.
