The name of Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi has been dragged into the heinous murder of former Rongo University student Sharon Otieno, eight years ago, by the former personal assistant (PA) of ex-Migori governor Okoth Obado.
Mr Michael Oyamo said Mr Mbadi procured a mediator to resolve a relationship issue that had cropped up between Ms Sharon and Mr Obado.
Ms Sharon had complained that her communication with the ex-county boss had hit a dead end and “that she was going to publish a story in the media about her pregnancy with Mr Obado.”
Ms Sharon Otieno.
Photo credit: Pool
Mr Oyamo said Ms Sharon had sought the services of a journalist identified as XYZ—whom she trusted for safety—to publish the love affair between her and Obado, who had allegedly stopped talking to her, despite her carrying his child.
“I received calls from unknown numbers inquiring whether I was the Governor’s PA,” Mr Oyamo recounted on his first day taking the witness stand to defend himself in the brutal and cruel killing of Ms Sharon, who was raped before being executed.
Migori Governor Okoth Obado (right) and his co-accused Michael Oyamo (Centre) and Casper Obiero at Milimani Court in Nairobi on July 12, 2021.
Photo credit: Dennis Onsongo | Nation Media Group
Mr Oyamo said he was contacted by three individuals—former MCA Lawrence Mullah (now deceased), Ms Sharon, and XYZ—who asked if he could arrange a meeting with the governor before the big story exploded in the mainstream media.
He told trial judge Justice Cecilia Githua that he wrestled with how to approach the governor about the issue.
They revealed it was about the pregnancy and the deteriorating relationship between Ms Sharon and Mr Obado.
“I gathered courage and spoke to my former boss about the issue and the impending publication about his relationship with Sharon,” Mr Oyamo testified.
He stated that when he raised the topic, Mr Obado told him he was “handling it,” adding that Mr Mbadi (now CS Treasury) had enlisted a former MCA, the late Lawrence Mullah, to mediate.
Mr Obado said Mr Mbadi had referred him to Mullah, who had been tasked with finding a parcel of land in Homa Bay County, purchasing it, and building a house for Ms Sharon, who was carrying the ex-governor’s child.
The former PA said Mullah’s instructions from Mr Mbadi were to act as a go-between for Mr Obado and Ms Sharon.
National Treasury and Economic Planning Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi.
Photo credit: Bonface Bogita | Nation Media Group
He added that Mullah was to receive financial assistance from the ex-governor to pass on to Ms Sharon in the presence of XYZ.
Mr Oyamo, who testified under oath, said he met Mullah, XYZ, and Sharon at a hotel known as Tausi in July 2018, where he delivered the first batch of assistance—Sh200,000—from Obado.
He said he was later given another Sh100,000 by Obado to pass on to Sharon through Mullah and XYZ.
Mr Oyamo, who is charged alongside Obado and former county employee Casper Obiero, said a sharp dispute erupted between Mullah and XYZ regarding the financial assistance from Obado to Sharon.
He revealed that Sharon called him several times, claiming XYZ did not want Mullah to receive the money without involving him.
The trial judge heard that Obado flew to Nairobi for a Council of Governors (CoG) meeting in August 2018.
Oyamo accompanied him, and on August 23, 2018, while in Nairobi, Sharon called requesting that he (Oyamo) organize a meeting between her, XYZ, and Mullah to resolve the financial issues related to the assistance she was receiving through Mbadi’s mediator.
Oyamo told the judge that he sent Sh22,000 via M-Pesa to XYZ to facilitate their travel to Nairobi since XYZ did not want Mullah to continue handling the Sharon-Obado funds.
He went on to say that he also called Mullah and XYZ to discuss Sharon’s suggestion that Obado wire the funds directly, without intermediaries.
In his opening remarks, Oyamo said he is aware that if convicted for the murder of Sharon on the night of September 3–4, 2018, he will be sentenced to death.
“Did you hear the opening remarks by prosecuting counsel Gikui Gichuhi, who is working with state prosecutors Mercy Njoroge and Millicent Kigura, that the DPP will prove that you lured Sharon and handed her over to the killers?” a defence lawyer asked him.
Oyamo said he heard the DPP state that he was involved in planning and executing the heinous killing of Sharon and her unborn child.
“Did you further hear the DPP say he will prove your deadly role in luring the deceased to her killers?” he was asked.
“I stand here today to clear the air, exonerate myself from this heinous act, and prove my innocence,” Mr Oyamo told the judge as he began his defence.
He admitted he was hesitant to approach the governor about the rumours, which were circulating in Migori and on social media.
Oyamo also denied having an affair with Sharon and stated that DNA tests were conducted to determine whether he was the father of her unborn child.
Obado, Oyamo, and Obiero have denied murdering Sharon and are out on bond.
Hearing continues May 22, 2025.
