Former Migori Governor Zacharia Okoth Obado has been found guilty of the murder of university student Sharon Otieno after the High Court ruled that the prosecution had successfully proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.
Lady Justice Cecilia Githua, in a judgment delivered on Thursday, July 23, convicted Obado alongside his former personal assistant and former Migori County clerk over Sharon’s killing.
The judge ruled that the prosecution had presented a complete chain of circumstantial evidence linking the three accused persons to the murder, saying the evidence collectively left no doubt about their involvement.
“I am satisfied that the circumstances presented in this case, taken cumulatively, form a chain so complete that there is no escape from the conclusion that the accused persons, jointly with others not before the court, committed the offence,” Justice Githua stated.
She added that the evidence presented during the trial pointed directly to the guilt of the three accused persons, noting that they acted with malice aforethought in causing Sharon’s death.
“It is therefore my finding that the prosecution has proved its case against the first, second and third accused persons beyond reasonable doubt. I consequently find each accused person guilty of the offence of murder contrary to Section 203 of the Penal Code,” the judge ruled.
During the judgment, Justice Githua outlined the roles she found each accused person played in the crime, stating that they worked together in the execution and concealment of the murder.
According to the court, Obado provided the motive, instigation and financial support linked to the murder, while the second accused person facilitated the execution of the crime. The third accused person was found to have offered logistical assistance and helped conceal the offence.
The court also declined an application to release Obado and the two co-accused persons on bond pending sentencing. Justice Githua ordered that the three remain in custody for 21 days as they await further directions on mitigation and sentencing.
The case dates back to the night of September 3 and 4, 2018, when Sharon Otieno was allegedly abducted alongside Nation Media Group journalist Barrack Oduor after leaving a hotel in Rongo.
Oduor managed to escape by jumping from the moving vehicle, but Sharon was later found dead near Kodera Forest in Uriri, Homa Bay County.
A postmortem examination conducted by Chief Government Pathologist Johansen Oduor established that Sharon died from strangulation and excessive bleeding caused by multiple stab wounds.
Her killing sparked widespread public outrage across Kenya and led to a major investigation that later focused on senior officials within the Migori County government.
Obado was arrested and first appeared before the High Court on September 24, 2018, where he was charged alongside the two co-accused persons. All three denied the charges.
Throughout the lengthy trial, the prosecution presented 42 witnesses and relied on various pieces of evidence, including witness accounts, forensic findings, mobile phone records and the movements of the accused persons before and after the murder.
The court concluded that the combined evidence established beyond reasonable doubt that the three accused persons were involved in Sharon Otieno’s murder and convicted them under Section 203 of the Penal Code.