After 42 Witnesses, DPP Concludes Okoth Obado Murder Trial
The murder case of university student Sharon Otieno against former Migori Governor Okoth Obado was concluded by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Renson Ingonga on Friday.
Over the six-year duration of the case, 42 witnesses provided their testimonies.
Following the trial’s closure, Senior Counsel Kioko Kilukumi, the lead defense lawyer, informed Justice Cecilia Githua that he would argue for a no case to answer in Obado’s favor.
“Your Ladyship Justice Githua, I will argue for no case to answer for Obado and request the court to acquit him as the evidence presented exonerates him from the murder,” Kilukumi stated.
Sharon and her unborn baby boy were murdered on the night of September 3, 2018.
Prosecution counsel Gikui Gichuhi and Allen Mulama from the DPP’s office will argue that Obado, his former personal assistant Michael Oyamo, and former Migori county employee Caspal Obiero have a case to answer and should defend themselves.
Gichuhi and Mulama presented evidence showing Oyamo’s contact with Sharon on the day she was driven to the location in Homa Bay where she was killed.
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The vehicle involved is owned by Olive Odhiambo Oloo, Obiero’s wife.
Lead Investigator Nicholas Ole Sena testified that his investigation revealed Sharon was with a journalist who escaped from the speeding vehicle, leaving her with the kidnappers who later killed her and her unborn child in a forest.
Wrapping up his testimony, Detective Ole Sena mentioned that Sharon’s pregnancy became known to Obado’s wife during their trip to London.
Ms. Gichuhi asked Ole Sena about the secret relationship between Obado and Sharon discovered during his investigation.
The detective responded, “The wife (Obado’s wife) learned about the affair during their trip to London.”
He also testified about interactions between Obado’s son and Sharon, including the sharing of scanned pictures.
Ole Sena further testified that Oyamo directed the journalist and Sharon to board a vehicle driven by Jackson Gombe, employed by Olive Oloo, Caspal Obiero’s wife.
He highlighted the public interest in the case due to the involvement of a sitting governor.
Ole Sena confirmed to Justice Githua that Obado was at Raila Odinga’s Karen home in Nairobi on September 3, 2018, between 5 pm and 9 pm.
This was corroborated by call data records from Safaricom, showing Obado was in Nairobi from the night of September 2, 2018, to September 5, 2018.
Officer Quinto Odeo Etyang testified on May 13, 2023, presenting Safaricom records indicating Obado was in Nairobi at 18.27 hours on September 3, 2018.
“I confirm that throughout the night of September 2, 2018, to September 3, 2018, the subscriber (Obado) spent the night in Nairobi,” the witness said.
The same situation persisted until September 5, 2018.
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DNA test results conclusively showed that Obado was the father of the slain fetus.
In his testimony, Ole Sena said they have no evidence proving Obado’s involvement, knowledge, or consent in Sharon’s abduction.
There was also no evidence implicating Obado in the abduction of the journalist accompanying Sharon on the night of her death.
“We don’t have any knowledge or evidence that Obado participated in the killing of the deceased,” Ole Sena stated.
Justice Githua permitted Obado to travel to China between June 20, 2024, and July 4, 2024.
The judge instructed the deputy registrar to return Obado’s passport for the trip and have it returned on July 9, 2024.
Obado, Oyamo, and Obiero have denied the charges of murdering Sharon and her unborn child on the night of September 3, 2018, in a forest in Homa Bay County. They are currently out on bond.
The judge will announce the date for the virtual submissions of no case to answer by the defense and prosecution.
After 42 Witnesses, DPP Concludes Okoth Obado Murder Trial
