Obado to know his fate over Sharon Otieno murder trial on May 29

A collage of former Migori Governor Okoth Obado and the late Sharon Otieno/FILE

The High Court is expected to give its final verdict in the murder trial of university student Sharon Otieno on May 29, 2026, bringing to a close a case that has drawn national attention for years.

Former Migori Governor Okoth Obado and his two co-accused will know their fate on that date after the court confirmed it for the delivery of judgment.

The matter was mentioned on Wednesday before Judge Cecilia Githua, who stated that the ruling will proceed as scheduled.

Justice Githua directed that all the accused persons must be physically present in court on the day of the judgment.

In the case, Obado is charged with murder alongside his former personal assistant, Michael Oyamo and Caspal Obiero.

The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions had urged the Milimani High Court to convict and jail them over the killing.

In final submissions, Senior Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions Gikui Gichuhi told the court that the evidence on record proves a deliberate and well-coordinated plan to murder Otieno in order to silence a key witness and avert political scandal and reputational damage.

“The evidence paints a coherent picture of the accused acting in concert, with a shared intention to eliminate Sharon Otieno and silence a witness to avoid political fallout, reputational harm and embarrassment,” Gichuhi said.

Gichuhi walked the court through what the DPP described as overwhelming proof, including witness testimony, forensic findings, cybercrime reports and phone data analysis.

She said the material evidence fits together to form a complete account of how the crime was planned and executed.

“From the start, we committed to showing the court that the evidence, like pieces of a puzzle, forms a complete picture of the events that led to Sharon’s tragic death,” she said.

The prosecution dismissed the defence case as inconsistent and contradictory. It argued that the explanations offered by the accused were an afterthought meant to cast doubt where none exists.

Obado, however, maintained his innocence.

Through his lawyers, he denied any role in Sharon Otieno’s killing and rejected claims of conspiracy with his co-accused.

While acknowledging a personal relationship with the deceased and responsibility for her pregnancy, Obado said this did not amount to proof of involvement in her death.

“I did not kill Sharon Otieno. I did not conspire with my two co-defendants or anyone to kill the late Sharon Otieno. I did not procure anybody to kill the late Sharon Otieno,” Obado told the court.

His defence argued that suspicion, public pressure and moral outrage cannot replace proof beyond a reasonable doubt.

Counsel said the prosecution had failed to directly link Obado to the act of murder.