The parents of slain former Rongo University student Sharon Otieno have appealed to Kenyans to stop bullying their family on social media following the conviction of those found guilty of her murder.
Sharon was killed on September 3, 2018. Her body was found dumped in Owade, Rachuonyo South Sub-county, Homa Bay County. The 26-year-old died alongside her unborn baby.
Former Migori Governor Okoth Obado, together with his aides Caspal Obiero and Michael Oyamo, was charged with her murder. The Milimani High Court found the three guilty, and Lady Justice Cecilia Githua is expected to sentence them on August 13, 2026.
The Nairobian visited Sharon’s parental home in Magare Village, Homa Bay Sub-county, where she was laid to rest. The court’s judgment has revived painful memories for the family, who say they have endured years of grief since Sharon’s death.
Adding to their anguish, they say, is the online abuse they continue to face.
Sharon’s mother, Melida Auma Rangili, said hurtful comments on social media had deepened the family’s pain. She described those attacking them online as people who had “lost their humanity” in the way they reacted to the court’s judgment.
“It is unfortunate that some people are taking advantage of Sharon’s death to bully our family. They claim I failed to raise her well and that she was driven by money. Those are malicious lies,” Melida said.
She urged social media users to show compassion and respect when discussing Sharon’s death..
Melida maintained that Sharon was an adult who deserves dignity even after her death. She said the same dignity should be accorded to her family.
“Let social media users know that Sharon had children and parents. Any information published on social media about her should be done respectfully,” she said.
She pleaded with netizens to stop aggravating the pain her family is undergoing. Melida said the fact that Sharon will never get her life back exacerbates the agony they are experiencing.
“They are adults who understand the information they post on social media. Let them put themselves in our shoes and gauge if they would be happy to be bullied the way they do to us,” she added.
Melida argued that Sharon’s case should not be conflated with politics.
According to Melida, her ambition for the Homa Bay Woman Representative position should not lead anyone to take advantage of Sharon’s death to vilify her.
Melida vied for the seat in the 2022 General Election and lost to the incumbent, Joyce Osogo. “I am going to run for Homa Bay Woman Representative on a UDA ticket in the 2027 General Election. But let people avoid taking advantage of Obado’s sentencing to attack my family,” she said.
She mourned Sharon as a daughter in whom she had high hopes and who was expected to be a role model for her siblings and children. Sharon’s love for education gave the family hope that their fortunes would change. “Sharon loved education and we had high hopes that she would transform our family one day. But it is unfortunate that she is no more,” she said.
The family is also concerned that Sharon’s death was a major setback, as their resources were spent on the court case. “Her death has left us in serious economic difficulty. The money we got through our limited sources of income was spent attending court proceedings in Nairobi,” she added.
Sharon left behind a 12-year-old son and two daughters aged 10 and eight.
Melida wants well-wishers to support her in raising her grandchildren, since this is an additional responsibility the family least expected. “We raised Sharon well and supported her university education with the hope that she would one day be able to take care of her children. But Sharon died and left the three orphans. Raising these children until adulthood is a difficult task. I appeal for support from well-wishers,” she said.
Sharon’s father, Douglas Otieno, expressed fear for his life, claiming that someone issued threats while the judge was delivering the sentence.
“On my way back from the court toilet, someone shouted that I should have been followed with a gun to the toilet. I felt frightened but I just proceeded back to the courtroom,” Otieno said.
Despite the threats, he remains optimistic that justice is finally prevailing. “I have confidence in the work of the Directorate of Criminal Investigations and the Judiciary. I have been eagerly waiting to know who killed my daughter, and they have been exposed,” Otieno said.
Obado was in a romantic relationship with Sharon. However, their relationship became strained after Sharon became pregnant. The pregnancy reportedly led to disagreements before Sharon was found dead. She was abducted on her way from a hotel in Rongo Town, Migori County, alongside journalist Barack Oduor, before she was killed.