Sharon Otieno’s mother, Melida Auma, has made an emotional appeal to the court, urging leniency for former Migori Governor Okoth Obado, who faces sentencing for the murder of her daughter. Auma's plea came on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, during a hearing at the High Court in Nairobi, where mitigation submissions were being presented before sentencing Obado and his co-convicts, Michael Juma Oyamo and Caspal Ajwang Obiero. She implored Justice Cecilia Githua to spare Obado from a death or life sentence, emphasizing that the family had forgiven him and did not wish to see him endure further suffering.
Mother's emotional appeal for leniency
Auma expressed her profound concern that Obado's imprisonment would exacerbate the family's pain, stating that she could not endure another loss akin to a death in the family if he were to receive the harshest penalties. Her appeal for a non-custodial sentence reflects a desire for closure and healing, despite the gravity of the crime. The three men were convicted of Sharon Otieno’s murder on July 23, 2026, following a lengthy trial where Justice Githua concluded that the prosecution had convincingly proven their involvement beyond a reasonable doubt.
In contrast, Sharon's father, Douglas Otieno, took a different stance during his address to the court. He directed his anger towards Oyamo and Obiero, whom he accused of being directly involved in the events leading to Sharon's tragic death. He recounted how one of the men had arranged the vehicle that transported Sharon before her murder, a detail that continues to haunt him. His emotional testimony highlighted the enduring pain and anger he feels over their roles in the crime.
Father's contrasting perspective on sentencing
The court proceedings were briefly paused earlier in the day to accommodate a request from Sharon’s parents for a Dholuo interpreter, ensuring they could fully participate and express themselves during the hearing. Sharon Otieno, who was 26 years old at the time of her death, was a student at Rongo University and was seven months pregnant. Her body was discovered in a thicket near Kodera Forest in Homa Bay County in September 2018, a crime that shocked the nation and drew widespread attention.
Court proceedings and family involvement
After nearly eight years of legal proceedings, Justice Githua delivered a guilty verdict against the three accused in July. The court is now tasked with considering the mitigation submissions and other relevant materials before determining the appropriate sentences for Obado, Oyamo, and Obiero. The sentencing decision will mark a significant moment in a case that has gripped the public and tested the resolve of Sharon's family in their pursuit of justice.
