Verdict Is Awaited
Former Migori governor Okoth Obado and two co-accused were due to learn their fate on Thursday in the murder trial of university student Sharon Otieno. The judgment was scheduled at the High Court in Nairobi.
It was expected to close one of Kenya’s most closely watched murder cases. Obado is facing the charges with his former aide, Michael Oyamo. Former Migori County clerk Caspal Obiero is also accused.
The three have denied the charges. The case has been in court since 2018. More than seven years have passed since the trial began.
The judgment was to be delivered by Justice Cecilia Githua.
A Case Was Found to Answer
The three accused had earlier been placed on their defence.
The decision was made after the prosecution was found to have presented enough evidence for the murder charge involving Sharon.
However, the court found that there was not enough evidence to require the three to defend themselves over the death of Sharon’s unborn child.
That distinction was expected to be central to the final judgment.
Evidence Was Presented
The prosecution called 42 witnesses during the trial. Electronic evidence was also presented. It included phone records, text messages and WhatsApp conversations.
The evidence was used to build the prosecution’s case against the accused. The defence was later allowed to respond to the case.
Obado has maintained his innocence. He previously told the court that he was elsewhere when Sharon was killed.
A Family Has Waited
Sharon, a former Rongo University student, was killed in September 2018. Her body was found a day after she was abducted. Her unborn child was also lost.
The case drew national attention. It also placed renewed focus on violence against women. For Sharon’s family, the long wait for justice has been painful.
FIDA-Kenya has been supporting the family through the court process. The organisation said it remained hopeful that the judgment would be based on the evidence and the law.
The verdict was expected to bring a major chapter in the case to a close.
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