Sharon Otieno’s Mother Pleads for Leniency for Okoth Obado

The mother of slain university student Sharon Otieno has asked the High Court to consider a non-custodial sentence for former Migori Governor Okoth Obado, saying his continued support would help Sharon’s three children.

Melinda Auma made the emotional appeal on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, during the mitigation and sentencing proceedings before Milimani High Court Judge Cecilia Githua.

Auma told the court that sending Obado to prison would bring another painful loss to her family, eight years after Sharon’s death. “If he goes for death or life sentencing, I’ll see another death in my life.” She urged the court not to send the former governor to prison.

Family says it has forgiven Obado

Auma said Sharon’s family had forgiven Obado after his family approached them following his conviction and asked for forgiveness.

She also pointed to what the family considered remorse shown by Obado during the proceedings.

The family’s lawyer separately asked the court to consider a non-custodial sentence, arguing that Obado had continued supporting Sharon’s children and was willing to maintain that support.

The lawyer said the family was seeking compensation and restitution for the three children rather than for Sharon’s parents themselves.

The parents have also told the court that their relationship with Obado’s family remained cordial despite the circumstances surrounding Sharon’s death.

Three children left behind

Sharon was 26 years old and seven months pregnant when she was killed on September 3, 2018.

She was a second-year Rongo University student studying for a diploma in Medical Records.

Her three surviving children are now aged between nine and 12, according to submissions made in court.

The family has told the court that Sharon’s death created lasting emotional and financial difficulties.

They estimated that they had spent about KSh1.2 million attending court proceedings and another KSh3.5 million on funeral and burial expenses.

The family said it was forced to sell a one-acre piece of land and a cow to meet some of those costs.

Prosecution leaves sentencing to judge

While acknowledging the parents’ right to address the court, State counsel Gikui Gichuhi said their views could not determine the sentence.

She argued that the offence was against the State and the wider community and that the punishment should reflect its seriousness and promote public confidence in the justice system.

Obado, who is 64, has also asked the court for a non-custodial sentence. His pre-sentence report cited his age, health and the nearly eight years taken by the case as factors for consideration.

On July 23, Justice Githua convicted Obado, his former personal assistant Michael Juma Oyamo and former Migori County official Caspal Ajwang Obiero over Sharon’s murder.

The court is now considering mitigation, the victim impact statement and submissions from both sides before determining the sentences.