The family of Sharon Otieno, who was killed by her boyfriend and father of her unborn child, Okoth Obado, along with his two aides, is happy with the court verdict that found the former Migori governor guilty of murder, noting that this marks a new beginning for them.
Speaking in a phone interview with the Nation on Friday, the family said they had finally found justice for their daughter, albeit delayed, since the case had dragged on in court for eight years.
They stated that while the ruling gives them a sigh of relief, it has also re-opened old wounds, making the murder of their daughter feel recent.
Former Migori Governor Okoth Obado at the Milimani Law Courts in Nairobi on July 23, 2026, during the delivery of judgment in the Sharon Otieno murder case. Lady Justice Cecilia Githua found Obado, and his former aides Michael Oyamo and Caspal Obiero, guilty of the 2018 murder.
Photo credit: Bonface Bogita | Nation Media Group
On Thursday, Mr Douglas Otieno, his wife Melida Auma, and other relatives sat pensively in court as Justice Cecilia Githua delivered the ruling.
"Even if justice has been served, we feel a little better, despite the fact that it has brought back painful memories. We have recalled the bad things that happened to our daughter; it is as if the wound has been re-opened. Yesterday, we were in court, and it was very pressurising. It has put a lot of psychological pressure on us," said Mr Otieno.
"It is just a new beginning now, after the long-awaited justice that has taken eight years. Justice has been served, and we feel a little better now," he added.
Ms Auma spoke to the Nation briefly as they prepared to return to their rural home in Homa Bay County, saying she will speak to the media later, as the family starts a new chapter in their lives, knowing their daughter's killers have been convicted.
The parents of the late Sharon Otieno, Melinda Auma (left) and Douglas Otieno, during the delivery of judgment in the murder case of their daughter at the Milimani Law Courts in Nairobi on July 23, 2026. Former Migori Governor Okoth Obado and his co-accused Michael Oyamo and Caspal Obiero, were found guilty of murder.
Photo credit: Bonface Bogita | Nation Media Group
Mr Otieno said that while they are happy their daughter has finally found justice, they still fear for their safety.
"There was a lot of pressure in court. I was also informed on phone that some people from Migori stormed Homa Bay Town yesterday and almost caused chaos. This leaves us with significant worry about our security. We fear for our safety," said Mr Otieno, noting that they are now waiting for the 21 days to elapse before the sentencing of the three individuals found guilty of their daughter's murder.
Obado, along with his former aides Michael Oyamo and Caspal Obiero, was found guilty of the 2018 murder of 26-year-old Sharon Otieno. High Court Judge Cecilia Githua delivered the judgment on July 23, 2026, stating that circumstantial evidence overwhelmingly proved the accused individuals planned and executed the killing to cover up their illicit relationship and her pregnancy.
The late Sharon Otieno. Former Migori Governor Okoth Obado and two co-accused have been convicted of murdering the university student.
Photo credit: Pool
Sharon, who was 28 weeks pregnant at the time, was brutally abducted, raped, and murdered in September 2018 in Homa Bay County, a tragic event that gripped the country for eight years.
"We are still worried about the sentence. We do not know whether it will be short or long term. We do not know how many years they will receive, or what the judge will decide. That worries us. After sentencing, we will determine what comes next as a family," said Mr Otieno.
The couple has been in Nairobi for their daughter's case since Tuesday, noting that the journey in search of justice for their daughter has been tedious and expensive.
From left: Michael Oyamo, Caspal Obiero and former Migori Governor Zachary Okoth Obado at the Milimani Law Courts in Nairobi on July 23, 2026. The three were found guilty in the murder of Sharon Otieno (inset) in 2028.
Photo credit: Bonface Bogita | Nation Media Group
"It has been hectic in terms of finances all these years. We have always paid for our transport and accommodation. We have travelled to Nairobi every time the case came up for hearing. This time, we travelled on Tuesday night and arrived in Nairobi on Wednesday. Apart from my wife, I was with my two daughters and younger brother," said Mr Otieno.
Mr Otieno remarked that the case took too long, noting that justice delayed is justice denied.
"Eight years is a long time. I cannot even remember how many times we appeared in court, but it was many," he said, adding that the whole family was psychologically tortured by Sharon's death.
"Her children keep asking where their mother went, even though they know she is no more. At times, they get confused and refer to their grandmother as their mother," Mr Otieno recounted.
