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Ex-Governor Guilty in Pregnant Student's Killing
23 Jul
Summary
- Former Kenyan governor Okoth Obado convicted of murdering his pregnant lover.
- Sharon Otieno's body was discovered in a thicket in western Kenya in 2018.
- The conviction highlights the extent of violence against women in Kenya.
A former Kenyan county governor, Okoth Obado, has been found guilty of orchestrating the murder of Sharon Otieno, a 26-year-old university student with whom he shared an intimate relationship. Otieno, who was pregnant with Obado's child, was discovered deceased in a thicket in western Kenya in 2018.
Judge Cecilia Githua ruled that Obado supplied the motive, instigation, and funds for the crime. His former personal assistant, Michael Oyamo, facilitated the execution, while ex-county clerk Caspal Obiero provided logistical support and concealment. The victim's death drew national attention and protests, highlighting the pervasive issue of gender-based violence in Kenya.
News of the murder gained traction after a journalist reported being contacted by Otieno about her affair with the then-governor. The journalist escaped a subsequent abduction attempt, and Otieno's body was found days later, bearing signs of violence. Circumstantial evidence presented during the trial by 42 witnesses proved instrumental in the conviction.
