They have forgiven me: Obado pleads for leniency after reconciliation with Sharon's parents

Former Migori Governor Okoth Obado (R) and his two co-accused, Michael Oyamo and Caspal Obiero, at the Milimani Law Courts yesterday. [David Gichuru, Standard]

Former Migori Governor Okoth Obado yesterday asked the High Court to spare him the death sentence and instead impose a three-year non-custodial term, as Sharon Otieno’s parents pleaded with the court not to send him to prison.

The dramatic sentencing hearing pitted the prosecution’s demand for a deterrent sentence against an emotional plea for mercy and reconciliation from the family of the woman Obado was convicted of murdering.

Justice Cecilia Githua will sentence Obado, his former personal assistant Michael Juma Oyamo and former Migori County clerk Caspal Ajwang Obiero on November 27, 2026, after the three were convicted of Sharon’s murder.

State prosecutor Gikui Gichuhi, appearing for DPP Renson Ingonga, urged the court to impose a deterrent sentence, arguing that Sharon's killing was planned rather than spontaneous.

She also urged the court to impose a sentence reflecting the gravity of the offence, the culpability of the three convicts and the wider public interest.

Gichuhi said the prosecution was seeking a deterrent sentence because Sharon’s murder was planned, the three acted pursuant to a common design and each played a distinct role.

 "As this court likely found in its judgment, this murder offence was planned and was not spontaneous. Accused persons acted to a common design and acted in distinct roles," she submitted, adding that "this planning elevated their culpability in the murder of Sharon Otieno.

The State further cited the manner in which Sharon was killed, the injuries inflicted on her and the consequences of her death on her family as aggravating circumstances.

Gichuhi said there was no evidence of provocation or a sudden event that could reduce the convicts’ culpability.

“From the evidence availed, no evidence of provocation and no sudden event existed to reduce the culpability of the three,” she said.

The prosecution also asked the judge to consider what it described as abuse of trust and position, arguing that the three were associated with public institutions and held positions of trust.

However, Gichuhi told the court the Directorate of Criminal Investigations had confirmed none of the three had prior offences.

While acknowledging the victim-impact statement and the families' reconciliation efforts, Gichuhi insisted the crime went beyond the individuals involved.

"The offence we are here today is an offence against the State, community and the sentence to be given should be deterrent and promote judicial trust," she said.

She further reminded the court that the prosecution stood in the place of Sharon in seeking justice.

“The seriousness of this offence before you, we submit as the prosecution, that we as a republic stand in the place of the deceased and request justice,” she said.

That position was directly challenged by Sharon's mother and father, who pleaded with the court not to jail Obado.

In her plea, Sharon’s mother, Melida Auma, asked the court to show Obado mercy, saying sending him to prison could cause another death in her family.

"Don't crucify Governor Obado. If he goes for death or life sentencing, I'll see another death in my life. Do me a favour; just don't take him to jail," Auma told Justice Githua.

She said Sharon’s family had forgiven Obado and maintained a relationship with him during and after the trial.

“The family of Sharon and the two families agreed that since the first accused has been remorseful at the time of death and during the court proceedings and the family of the accused also came immediately after conviction asking for forgiveness and we said as a family we have forgiven the first convict,” she said.

Auma pleaded for a non-custodial sentence.

“I’m pleading with this honourable court to grant the first convict Obado a non-custodial sentence,” she said.

She also invoked the Bible and referred to Luke 23 before making her appeal.

Auma asked the court to consider that Sharon left behind three children, now aged 12, 11 and nine, now being raised by her and argued that Obado could assist in their care if released.

"This court should note that Sharon left three children. If he is granted a non-custodial sentence, he will come back and help us take care of these kids," she said, closing with: "My last plea is do not crucify Governor Obado on this case."

Sharon’s father, Douglas Zacharia Otieno, also addressed the court, with the family seeking restorative justice and reconciliation.

Otieno told Justice Githua that Obado’s decision to send relatives to his home seeking reconciliation had softened his position on the sentence but said he remained deeply bitter towards Obado's ex-aides Oyamo and Obiero.

“After the judgment, Obado sent his relatives to my house for a reconciliation attempt. Because of his remorse, a non-custodial sentence is okay,” Otieno told the court.

But the father sharply distinguished Obado from the former governor’s two co-convicts, whom he accused of being the last people to meet his daughter before she was handed over to her killers.

“But I am too bitter before this court seeing Oyamo and Casper (Obado's co-accused); these are two individuals who last met my daughter and handed him over to his killers,” Otieno said.

In one of the most emotional moments of his address, Otieno described the depth of his anger towards the two men.

“If I could be a dog, I would bite them and lick their blood. I am too bitter with the two,” he said.

He also accused them of showing no remorse.

“They are not remorseful,” Otieno told the court.

Otieno said he had waited years for an opportunity to address the court directly about his daughter’s death, describing the legal journey as one marked by pain, repeated travel and emotional exhaustion.

“I thank the court for giving me an opportunity, since for nine years I have not talked in court,” he said.

The grieving father told the judge that he was saddened by the fact that all three convicted men remained in custody, but said his position was particularly focused on Obado because of the reconciliation efforts made through his family.

“I feel very sad that the three accused persons who are well known to me are today in custody,” Otieno said.

 Sharon’s family has said it incurred about Sh4.7 million in expenses following her death and the prolonged court proceedings, while also seeking assistance for her three children. 

Obado’s lawyer Rodger Sagana seized on the parents’ position to ask for a three-year non-custodial sentence, framing the plea around restorative justice rather than his client's former office.

“It is our position that it is not about money or power; what we are seeking before you is forgiveness seeking mercy and restitution, and restoration, compensation and a promise of useful character, as prayers by the victim's family. We humbly pray for a non-custodial sentence for a period of three years,” Sagana submitted.

He relied on Article 159 of the Constitution, the best interests of children under Article 53(2), the Victim Protection Act and the Probation of Offenders Act.

“Section 4 of the Probation of Offenders Act, which gives the court the discretion to release the convict on probation, really considering the character and the entities. And Section 5 gives the period at a minimum of a year and a maximum of three years,” he said.

Sagana described Obado as a first-time offender, a teacher, principal, public servant, and governor, and cited an affidavit-backed reconciliation process involving both families, local leaders and the county commissioner

The defence said reconciliation between the two families had been genuine and voluntary and involved local leaders, the county commissioner, families and the wider community.

“They find that reconciliation not just between two of them but between their respective families has been genuine and voluntary. The reconciliation has involved the county commissioner, local leaders, families and community at large,” Sagana said.

He also cited Obado’s health, including a spine condition and hypertension, his conduct while on bond and the 88 days he had spent in custody before being released on bail.

“The first accused has spent a total of 88 days in custody. He was admitted to bail and throughout he has shown a character that can obey probation,” he said.

The defence further argued that Sharon’s parents recognised that punishment could not reverse her death and said they had chosen mercy.

“They said remorse… cannot bring back the life of their daughter but today they choose mercy and hold the position that punishment cannot reverse the remorse,” Sagana told the court.

The case stems from the September 2018 abduction and murder of Sharon, a 26-year-old Rongo University student who was seven months pregnant.

Her body and that of her unborn child were later found in Homa Bay County.

On July 23, 2026, Justice Githua convicted Obado, Oyamo and Obiero after finding that the prosecution had proved the murder case beyond reasonable doubt.

The court had earlier acquitted the trio on a separate charge over the death of Sharon's unborn child.

The trial involved 52 prosecution witnesses and lasted nearly eight years.

The court subsequently cancelled their bond terms and ordered their detention in custody awaiting sentencing.

The High Court will now determine the sentence to impose after hearing the competing submissions on punishment, deterrence, reconciliation, rehabilitation, the interests of the children and the wishes of Sharon’s family.