Okoth Obao and his slain Lover Sharon Otieno:POOL
Nairobi, Kenya
Former Migori Governor Okoth Obado, who is facing charges related to the brutal murder of Rongo University student Sharon Otieno and her unborn child, has told a Nairobi court that the actual killers remain unidentified and are still at large. The murder occurred on September 3, 2018, in Homa Bay County.
Obado, along with his Personal Assistant Michael Oyamo and co-accused Caspal Obiero, is standing trial for the crime. The prosecution closed its case two months ago, with lead prosecutor Nicholas Ole Sena acknowledging that there was no direct evidence implicating Obado in the murder.
Defence Submissions:
During the latest court session, Obado’s defence team, led by Senior Counsel Kiko Kilukumi and lawyer Rogers Sagana, highlighted key reasons why their client should not be placed on his defence. Kilukumi emphasized that there is no concrete evidence linking Obado to the murder of Sharon.
“The case against Obado is based entirely on his relationship with Sharon, her pregnancy, the financial support he gave her, and his plans to buy her a home,” Kilukumi stated.
Kilukumi further explained that the sexual relationship between Obado and Sharon was widely known within Migori County and that even Obado’s wife and son were aware of the affair. He also noted that when Sharon became pregnant, Obado was unsure whether he was the father, a matter later confirmed by a DNA test. The test revealed that Obado was, in fact, the father of the child Sharon was carrying at the time of her death.
Despite the confirmation of paternity, Kilukumi argued that Obado took responsibility for Sharon and the child, providing her with financial support, including at least Sh200,000 in monthly upkeep and plans to purchase a plot worth Sh800,000 in Homa Bay.
Kilukumi asserted that the prosecution’s case is based mainly on circumstantial evidence, including the claim that Sharon and witness XYZ were lured into a vehicle by four men, who allegedly killed her. “It is these four men who killed Sharon, and none of them stand in the dock today,” Kilukumi stated. He raised concerns about the failure of investigators to apprehend the actual killers and questioned why Jackson Gombe, the taxi driver who allegedly ferried Sharon to the crime scene, was never charged.
Kilukumi urged the court to carefully review the evidence and conclude that his client was not involved in the murder.
Prosecution’s Case:
In response, the prosecution argued that they have presented a clear chain of evidence linking the accused persons to the crime. The prosecution pointed to forensic and medical evidence from expert witnesses that tie Obado and the others to the crime.
The prosecution also presented evidence of a “false narrative” fabricated by Michael Oyamo, Obado’s PA, who allegedly staged his own kidnapping on the same night Sharon was murdered to cover up his involvement in the crime. The prosecution believes that the evidence, including testimony from key witnesses and corroborated by physical evidence, paints a clear picture of how the accused worked together to abduct and murder Sharon and her unborn child.
Next Steps:
The hearing continues as the court considers whether the evidence presented so far is sufficient to require the accused to mount a defence.
The ruling on whether Obado, Oyamo, and Obiero will be placed on their defence is expected in the coming weeks.
End
byronian4@gmail.com
About the Author
