From Lexus to Prison Van: Convicted Ex-Governor Okoth Obado Begins Life in Custody

NAIROBI, Kenya – Former Migori Governor Okoth Obado's dramatic fall from political power to prison custody became a stark reality on Thursday after the High Court revoked his bond and ordered him remanded following his conviction for the 2018 murder of university student Sharon Otieno.

Once chauffeured to court in luxury vehicles during his years as governor, Obado left the Milimani Law Courts in a prison van alongside his co-convicts, former personal assistant Michael Oyamo and former Migori County clerk Caspal Obiero, marking a symbolic end to nearly eight years of freedom while facing trial.

Justice Cecilia Githua cancelled the bond terms for the three men after finding them guilty of Sharon's murder, ruling that they would remain in custody pending sentencing. The court also directed that pre-sentence reports be prepared before punishment is determined.

The conviction closes one of Kenya's most closely followed criminal trials, a case that sparked national outrage over violence against women, abuse of power and the pursuit of justice.

A case that gripped the nation

The murder dates back to September 2018 when Sharon Otieno, a 26-year-old Rongo University student who was about seven months pregnant, was abducted in Homa Bay County alongside Nation Media Group journalist Barrack Oduor.

Oduor managed to escape by jumping from the moving vehicle. Sharon's body was discovered the following day in Kodera Forest. A post-mortem found that she had suffered multiple stab wounds, severe haemorrhage and strangulation.

The case immediately attracted widespread public attention after allegations emerged that Obado had been in a relationship with Sharon and was the father of her unborn child.

Prosecution's case

During the lengthy trial, prosecutors called 42 witnesses and relied on a combination of witness testimony, mobile phone records, WhatsApp conversations, SMS messages and forensic evidence to demonstrate what they described as a coordinated plan to eliminate Sharon.

The prosecution argued that the killing was motivated by a desire to avoid political embarrassment and silence Sharon before the relationship became a bigger public scandal.

Obado consistently denied orchestrating the murder. While acknowledging his relationship with Sharon and accepting responsibility for her pregnancy, he maintained that there was no direct evidence linking him to the killing and urged the court to acquit him.

Years of legal proceedings

The murder trial stretched for almost eight years after the accused were first charged in 2018.

Court proceedings experienced delays arising from the COVID-19 pandemic, numerous procedural applications and the complexity of the case. In January 2025, Justice Githua ruled that the prosecution had established a prima facie case, requiring Obado and his co-accused to present their defence.

The final judgment delivered this week found the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt, leading to the conviction of all three accused.

Reactions

Women's rights organisations welcomed the verdict, describing it as an important milestone in the fight against gender-based violence and impunity.

The Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA-Kenya), which maintained a watching brief for Sharon's family throughout the proceedings, expressed confidence that justice had been served after years of waiting. Other women's rights advocates similarly hailed the conviction as a significant moment for accountability in cases involving violence against women.

What happens next?

Obado, Oyamo and Obiero will remain in custody as probation officers prepare pre-sentence reports to guide the court before sentencing.

The sentencing hearing will determine the punishment for one of Kenya's most high-profile murder convictions in recent years, bringing the country a step closer to concluding a case that has remained in the public spotlight since Sharon Otieno's killing in 2018