A side-by-side photo of former Migori Governor Okoth Obado and the late Sharon Otieno.
Date: April 24, 2025
Time: 12:08 PM
Former Migori Governor Okoth Obado has strongly defended himself in court against accusations of involvement in the murder of Sharon Otieno, a university student found tragically dead in 2018. In his testimony on Wednesday, Obado was candid about the affair he had with Sharon, which has been a focal point in the ongoing case. He vehemently denied any connection to her death, stating that he had already ended the relationship and had taken steps to make amends with his family prior to the tragic events.
Obado’s Public Confession:
In a surprising admission, Obado revealed that he was transparent about the affair with his wife, Hellen Obado, confessing to the infidelity before Sharon’s death. He emphasized that after admitting the affair, he apologized to his wife and promised that the relationship with Sharon would come to an end.
Obado described how, despite the public nature of the affair, he had been committed to ending it. He revealed that he took full responsibility for the child Sharon was expecting and had even arranged for her to have medical coverage and financial support. His defense team argued that, at the time of Sharon’s death, the relationship had already been severed.
“I had already confessed to my wife, and I promised to stop the relationship. I had no intention of marrying Sharon or taking a second wife,” Obado testified in court. He recounted how he had discussed the future with Sharon, offering to support her financially and even arranging medical services for her due to complications arising from her pregnancy.
Sharon’s Housing Demands and Obado’s Rejection:
The affair had been marked by constant demands for financial assistance. One of the most contentious issues was Sharon’s request for a house in either Kisumu or Nairobi, which Obado rejected. Instead, Obado offered to buy land in Homa Bay and build her a house worth KSh 3 million, a gesture he felt was more appropriate given his financial situation.
Obado said that Sharon had initially agreed to the Homa Bay option but later insisted on a 50×100 plot in Kisumu, a demand Obado claims he could not fulfill.
“I was clear that I could only support buying land in the rural area. I had no intentions of offering a house in Kisumu or Nairobi,” Obado said.
Sharon’s persistence in her requests led to rising tension between her and Obado. However, the former governor remained steadfast in his decision to support her in a way he believed was reasonable, but he made it clear that he would not bend to her demand for urban property.
Obado’s Wife’s Reaction and a Shocking Offer:
In an even more surprising revelation, Obado shared that his wife, Hellen Obado, had made an unprecedented offer to Sharon. His wife had offered Sharon one of their houses, a generous gesture that was intended to end the financial tension between the two women. However, Obado rejected the offer outright, saying he had no interest in marrying a second wife.
Obado recounted a private meeting where his wife, a journalist, and a man identified only as XYZ confronted him with evidence of the affair. According to Obado, XYZ claimed to have received messages from Lawrence Muller, a journalist, who had been in contact with Sharon.
“My wife was present even when I gave them money. It was actually my wife who loaned me the KSh 30,000 I handed over to them,” Obado recalled.
Obado described the tense atmosphere of the meeting, noting that his wife had already been informed of the affair months earlier. He also revealed that during the meeting, XYZ discussed the details of Sharon’s pregnancy, suggesting that Muller had been pushing for financial assistance.
The Issue of Sharon’s Health:
Obado further elaborated on the health issues Sharon faced during her pregnancy. He testified that Sharon had been dealing with severe health complications, which had led to frequent medical consultations. In a bid to assist her, Obado had arranged for medical coverage to ensure Sharon’s health needs were met.
At the time of Sharon’s death, Obado claimed that Sharon had agreed to move into a rental house temporarily while awaiting the construction of her new home in Homa Bay. The arrangement, he stated, was one that Sharon had been comfortable with, signaling that she was ready to move forward from their complicated relationship.
Courtroom Drama and Continued Defense:
Despite the shock revelations, Obado’s defense team has remained firm in their stance that Obado was not involved in Sharon Otieno’s murder. The former governor has consistently denied any involvement in Sharon’s tragic death, and the legal team has presented evidence that Obado had been willing to take responsibility for Sharon’s pregnancy and support her financially.
The case has garnered significant public attention as it continues to unfold. With the High Court ruling that Obado and his co-accused have a case to answer, the trial is set to continue, and the defense hearings began on April 23, 2025. As the investigation continues, Obado’s fate hangs in the balance, and the legal proceedings are likely to further expose the intricate web of relationships, betrayal, and power that surrounds the case.
