Former Migori Governor Okoth Obado has asked the High Court to spare him a custodial sentence following his conviction for the murder of Rongo University student Sharon Otieno.
Obado is seeking a non-custodial sentence, citing his age, health and the nearly eight years the murder case has taken to conclude.
The request is contained in a pre-sentence probation report presented to the High Court on Tuesday, August 18, 2026.
Obado, who is 64, told probation officers that he respects the court’s verdict but does not agree with the finding that he participated in Sharon’s murder.
He acknowledged that he had been in an intimate relationship with Sharon for about four months.
The former governor also told the officers that Sharon had informed him she was pregnant and that he was prepared to take responsibility for the child, subject to a DNA test.
He maintained, however, that he did not participate in her killing.
Obado cites health and family responsibilities
The probation report says Obado suffers from hypertension and had complained of pain around his left shoulder.
It also describes him as a former teacher who later entered politics and served as Migori governor for two terms after winning the seat in 2013 and 2017.
The report says he has no previous criminal convictions.
Family members and people from his community described him as a person who participated in church activities and supported vulnerable people.
Obado expressed remorse over Sharon’s death and said he was willing to support her family and pursue reconciliation.
His request now places his personal circumstances at the centre of the next stage of the case as the High Court considers the appropriate punishment.
Sharon’s family seeks compensation
The development comes as Sharon’s family seeks compensation for the financial and emotional impact of her death and the lengthy court case.
A separate victim impact statement contained in the probation report says the family spent about KSh4.7 million on funeral expenses, travel, accommodation and meals during the proceedings. It says the family was forced to sell a one-acre piece of land and a cow to meet some of the costs.
The family has also told probation officers that it continues to struggle to support Sharon’s three children, ageing parents and siblings.
Sharon was killed in September 2018. She was pregnant at the time.
On July 23, 2026, Justice Cecilia Githua convicted Obado alongside his former personal assistant Michael Oyamo and former county clerk Caspal Obiero after finding that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.
The court found that the three acted in concert, with Obado financing the execution of the crime, Oyamo playing a role in its execution and Obiero helping conceal the offence.
The High Court has set September 16, 2026, as the earliest date for sentencing. The judge will consider the probation report, victim impact report and submissions from both the prosecution and defence before determining the sentence.
The case has attracted national attention since Sharon’s killing nearly eight years ago and remains one of Kenya’s most closely followed murder trials.
