Former Migori Governor Okoth Obado is set to defend himself in court in April 2025 after the High Court ruled that he has a case to answer in the murder of Rongo University student Sharon Otieno. The court’s decision follows the conclusion of the prosecution’s case in June 2024, during which 42 witnesses, including a journalist, testified.
The defense hearing for Obado has been scheduled from April 23 to April 25, 2025. His co-accused, Michael Oyamo and Caspal Obiero, will separately present their defenses from May 19 to May 23, 2025. The three accused have denied any involvement in the brutal killing of Sharon Otieno, who was murdered in 2018 while pregnant. The prosecution has alleged that Obado and his associates orchestrated the murder, leading to his trial alongside his two co-accused.
During the court session, Obado informed Lady Justice Cecilia Githua that he intends to give sworn evidence in his defense. Additionally, he stated that he would present two witnesses to support his case. The upcoming defense hearings are expected to be closely watched, given the high-profile nature of the case and the significant public interest it has garnered over the years.
Sharon Otieno’s murder shocked the nation in 2018, drawing widespread condemnation and calls for justice. Her body was discovered in a forest in Homa Bay County with multiple stab wounds, a crime that sent shockwaves across the country. Investigations linked her death to individuals close to the former governor, leading to his arrest and subsequent trial.
The prosecution built its case by presenting forensic evidence, witness testimonies, and communications records allegedly tying the accused to the crime. The court’s decision to place Obado, Oyamo, and Obiero on their defense indicates that there was sufficient evidence presented to warrant a response from them.
Legal experts suggest that the defense phase will be crucial in determining the outcome of the case. Obado’s decision to testify under oath means he will be subject to cross-examination by the prosecution, a move that could significantly impact the case’s trajectory. His co-accused, Oyamo and Obiero, will also have to counter the prosecution’s evidence when their defense hearings commence in May.
As the trial enters this critical phase, the public will be keenly following proceedings to see whether the court will uphold the charges or acquit the accused. The verdict, once delivered, will mark the culmination of a lengthy judicial process in one of Kenya’s most closely watched murder trials in recent history.
