Former Migori Governor Okoth Obado // Courtesy
Former Migori Governor Okoth Obado has asked the High Court at Milimani to consider a lenient sentence, citing his age, health status and the length of time it has taken to conclude the murder case involving Sharon Otieno.
Obado, 64, is currently remanded at GK Kamiti Maximum Prison following his conviction alongside his two co-accused, Michael Juma Oyamo and Caspal Ajwang Obiero.
In his pre-sentence report, the former governor maintained that he did not murder Sharon or participate in her killing, attributing his predicament to political woes and machinations aimed at damaging his character.
Although he did not accept responsibility for the offence, Obado acknowledged the tragic outcome and expressed a desire to reconcile with Sharon's family.
He asked the court to consider a non-custodial sentence, citing his age, health and the duration the case had taken before reaching its conclusion.
Oyamo, who served as Obado's personal assistant, also expressed regret over what had happened following his conviction.
The pre-sentence report said Oyamo reflected on what it described as his misplaced sense of loyalty to his immediate boss and his failure to appreciate the consequences of his actions.
He said he was saddened by Sharon's death and stated that had he known how events would end, he would have advised her differently in an effort to save her life and that of her unborn child.
The third accused, Obiero, who worked with the Migori County Government, denied participating in the offence.
His motor vehicle was cited in the pre-sentence report as having facilitated the transportation of persons identified in the case to and from the scene of the crime.
Obiero acknowledged the pain suffered by Sharon's family and expressed regret over the incident and its consequences.
The victim's family, however, told the court of the financial and emotional burden they have endured since Sharon's death on September 3, 2018.
The family said it had spent about Sh1.2 million attending court proceedings and another Sh3.5 million on funeral expenses.
They told the court they had been forced to sell the family's one-acre piece of land and a cow to help meet the financial deficit caused by the expenses.
The family also sought compensation, saying it lacked the means to meet its immediate and future obligations, including caring for Sharon's children, her siblings and her ageing parents.
Sharon was 26 and seven months pregnant when she died. She was a second-year student at Rongo University pursuing a diploma in Medical Records and left behind children who are now aged between nine and 12.
The family said the circumstances of her death had left them with permanent memories of the loss and asked the court to consider the impact of the crime when determining the sentence.
The court heard that the family had forgiven the person concerned but still wanted punishment imposed for the offence.
The court directed that the victim impact statement be shared with all parties, after which the parties will file submissions on mitigation and sentencing.
The prosecution requested seven to 14 days to file its submissions.
The High Court set September 16 as the earliest possible date for the sentencing hearing.
