Lawyer says Obado did not kill Sharon Otieno, faults conviction
In a post shared on his social media platform, Ombeta maintained that Obado was innocent, insisting the prosecution failed to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt.
Former Migori Governor Okoth Obado. Photo: Courtesy.
By Robert Mutasi
Criminal lawyer Cliff Ombeta has questioned the conviction of former Migori Gov. Okoth Obado for the 2018 murder of university student Sharon Otieno, saying evidence did not directly link his client to the crime.
Ombeta spoke out a day after the High Court convicted Obado, his former personal assistant Michael Oyamo and clerk Caspal Obiero for Otieno’s killing, a verdict that has sparked public debate.
In a post shared on his social media platform, Ombeta maintained that Obado was innocent, insisting the prosecution failed to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt.
“Obado did not commit that offence. I don’t know about the others. Even the circumstantial evidence (non-existent) could not put him in any scene or act,” Ombeta said.
The lawyer further criticized the reasoning adopted by the trial court, arguing that the judge relied on assumptions rather than concrete evidence to reach the verdict.
“The court (Judge) imagined he was afraid of publicity and embarrassment and therefore…” Ombeta stated.
He also suggested that investigators did not sufficiently explore other possibilities.
“Was it possible other family did it..” he asked.
The High Court on Wednesday ruled that the prosecution had proved beyond reasonable doubt that Obado, Oyamo and Obiero acted with a common intention in the killing of Otieno.
Justice Cecilia Githua held that evidence demonstrated Obado financed the execution of the murder, while his co-accused played different roles in carrying out and concealing the crime.
The court further found that although Obado was not physically present at the scene, evidence established his involvement in planning and facilitating the offense.
Following the conviction, the court canceled bond terms for the three and ordered that they remain in custody pending sentencing.
Otieno, who was seven months pregnant, was abducted and killed in September 2018. Her body was found in a thicket in Homa Bay County. At the time, Otieno was reported to have been in a relationship with Obado.
The case became one of Kenya’s most high-profile murder trials, drawing national attention for nearly eight years.
Obado has denied involvement since his arrest and has maintained that he was a victim of political persecution.
Ombeta’s remarks are expected to fuel further legal and public discussion over the case, particularly as the defense prepares for mitigation and a possible appeal against the conviction. Sentencing is set for next week.
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