Nearly eight years after the killing of university student Sharon Otieno and her unborn child shocked the country, the High Court is expected to deliver its verdict on Thursday in the murder case involving former Migori Governor Okoth Obado and his two co-accused.
Judgment will be delivered at the Milimani Law Courts, where Obado, his former personal assistant Michael Oyamo and former Migori County clerk Caspal Obiero are facing two counts of murder.
The three were put on their defence after the court found there was sufficient evidence requiring them to respond to the charges before a final decision could be made.
As the country awaits the outcome, the Federation of Women Lawyers in Kenya (FIDA-Kenya), which has been observing the proceedings on behalf of Sharon’s family, said it hopes the court’s determination will be based solely on the evidence presented during the trial and the applicable law.
“FIDA-Kenya is watching brief for Sharon Otieno’s family and has continued to stand with them throughout the judicial process as they seek justice for the tragic loss of their daughter and her unborn child,” stated FIDA.
Sharon disappeared on September 3, 2018, before her body and that of her unborn baby were discovered the following day in a thicket near Kodera Forest in Homa Bay County.
The incident sparked widespread public outrage and became one of Kenya’s most closely followed criminal cases.
Throughout the trial, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions presented testimony from 42 witnesses and relied on a combination of witness accounts and digital evidence, including SMS messages, WhatsApp conversations and mobile phone data.
According to FIDA-Kenya, some of the witnesses linked one of the accused to Sharon shortly before her disappearance and subsequent death.
The hearing took several years to conclude after court operations were interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic and other procedural delays. Despite the prolonged process, Sharon’s family has continued to pursue justice with support from FIDA-Kenya.
The court’s ruling is expected to bring a major milestone in a case that has remained in the national spotlight for years.
Whatever the outcome, the judgment is likely to mark a significant moment for Sharon’s family as they continue seeking closure through the justice system.
