Sharon Otieno’s family disowns their daughter's husband

Sharon Otieno's mother Melida Otieno (center) is assisted by relatives to the grave side on September 14,2018 at Magare village in Homabay County during the burial of her seven-month-old grandchild. [Denish Ochieng/Standard]

The family of Slain Rongo University student Sharon Otieno has disowned their ‘son in-law’ ahead of her burial.

Sharon lived with her husband Benard Otieno Owuor alias Okuta, a member of Kamagambo clan in Migori County but separated early this year.

According to Luo community culture where the two hail from, a married lady must be buried in her husband’s home unless there is a serious obstacle.

The Standard has learnt that Sharon will be buried at her grandfather’s home at Magare village in Homa Bay County, contrary to many peoples’ expectations.

Owuor is said to have sired two girls with Sharon before they separated.

But Sharon’s step-grandfather John Olweya who spoke to journalists on behalf of the family revealed that they had distanced themselves from the husband.

Olweya said Owuor had never visited their home to make his marriage with Sharon official. “We are not aware of any marriage between Sharon and any man. The said husband has never paid us dowry and has failed to visit this family to notify us that he was living with Sharon,” he said.

He also said Owuor had failed to communicate with the family on whether he would bury Sharon or not, making them fail to understand what he could do regarding Sharon’s death. “I don’t know whether they were living as boyfriend and girlfriend. But the position of this family is that Sharon had no husband,” added Olweya.

The family has therefore resolved to bury Sharon in the home of her paternal grandfather Samuel Odege. The burial date has however not been scheduled.

Family lead lawyer Peter Kaluma said they would not bury her until her killers are apprehended.