The Lower Eastern Times Opening The Third Eye
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The High Court is expected to deliver its judgment today, Thursday, in the murder case of former Rongo University student Sharon Otieno, bringing one of Kenya’s most closely followed criminal trials closer to its conclusion.
The ruling in Republic v Okoth Obado & 2 Others (Criminal Case No. 46 of 2018) will be issued at the Milimani Law Courts in Nairobi.
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Former Migori Governor Okoth Obado, former Migori County communications director Michael Oyamo and former county clerk Caspal Obiero are facing charges over the murder of Sharon Otieno and her unborn child. All three have denied the accusations.
Ahead of the judgment, the Federation of Women Lawyers in Kenya (FIDA-Kenya) reaffirmed its support for Sharon’s family, saying it has closely monitored the proceedings since the case began and remains committed to their pursuit of justice.
In a statement released on Wednesday, FIDA-Kenya said it has been observing the trial on behalf of the family and continues to stand with them following the loss of Sharon and her unborn baby.
Sharon was abducted on September 3, 2018. Her body, along with that of her unborn child, was discovered the following day in a thicket near Kodera Forest in Homa Bay County. The incident sparked widespread public concern and renewed discussions on violence against women and gender-based crimes.
During the trial, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) presented evidence from 42 prosecution witnesses. The evidence included witness testimonies, mobile phone data, SMS records and WhatsApp messages.
According to FIDA-Kenya, testimonies from two prosecution witnesses were among the evidence linking one of the accused to the group of people last seen with Sharon before her death.
The case has taken nearly eight years to conclude after experiencing delays, including disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and court scheduling challenges.
FIDA-Kenya noted that despite the delays, Sharon’s family has remained committed to seeking justice through the legal process.
The organisation has urged the public to respect the court process and allow the judgment to be determined independently based on the evidence and the law.
FIDA-Kenya chairperson Christine Kungu said the organisation believes the court’s decision will be guided by the evidence presented and applicable legal principles. She added that FIDA-Kenya will issue a statement after the judgment is delivered.
The verdict is expected to attract nationwide attention due to the public interest the case has generated since 2018. It will determine the criminal responsibility of the three accused persons and conclude one of Kenya’s most high-profile murder trials in recent years.
