By Steve Misori in Kenya
Kenya’s Migori County Governor Okoth Obado has appeared in the Milimani High Court for murdering his girlfriend Sharon Otieno, who was a university student at Ringo University.
Obado was appearing before Justice Jessie Lessit for allegedly murdering the student he was having sex with after she became pregnant.
Sharon was a university student who was pursuing degree program in medical records and they had been in an intimate relationship with Obado since January this year.
On September 3, alongside a Nation Media Group journalist Barrack Oduor, Sharon was abducted in Rongo town and was later found dead in Kodera forest in Homa Bay County.
The Nation journalist Oduor escaped by jumping out of a speeding car shortly before Adiedo implicated Michael Oyamo who is Obado’s Personal Assistant.
Obado denied the charge but admitted to having relationship with Sharon before her brutal death.
However, investigations turned sour for the governor when the state arrested key witness who included Caspal Ojwang’, Elvis Omondi, and a Mr Gombe.
These suspects have consistently provided evidence which has been consistent in following up on the activities of the embattled governor.
One of the drivers believed to have been at the scene of crime provided one of the key lead linking governor Obado directly to the crime.
The director of public prosecution is relying on mobile phone data, including calls, messages and location to sustain a fully binding trial of the suspects involved.
It was evident that the governor was in constant communication with key suspects, most of who were close to him.
Keen analysis and perusal of his call logs and forensic tests convinced the detectives that he should be locked up despite his lawyer’s protest.
At the time of her abduction, torture and murder, Sharon Otieno was seven months pregnant and a DNA test confirmed that she was pregnant with the governor’s child.
Obado is still remanded at Industrial Area police centre until today 14:00 hours when the matter comes up for bail consideration.
Obado is represented by Cliff Ombeta.
