DNK International By ElizabethWere,Milimani Court.
The parents of slain Rongo University medical student Sharon Otieno have broken their eight year silence in court, making an emotional plea for former Migori Governor Okoth Obado to be spared a custodial sentence and instead given a non-custodial sentence.
Sharon’s parents, Douglas Otieno and Melinda Ouma, made the plea on Wednesday before Justice Cecilia Githua during mitigation proceedings ahead of the sentencing of Obado and his co-convicts, Michael Oyamo and Casper Obiero, over Sharon’s murder.
Through their lawyer, the family told the court that they had forgiven Obado and would not object to him being placed on probation, provided he takes responsibility for supporting Sharon’s four children.
Sharon’s mother, Melinda, made an emotional appeal for leniency, saying sending Obado to prison would subject her family to another funeral because they had relied on his support both before and after Sharon’s death.
She quoted biblical passages, including Genesis 13:7 and Luke 23, as she appealed to Justice Githua to consider reconciliation and forgiveness.
Sharon’s father, however, expressed deep anger towards Oyamo and Obiero, whom he accused of being the last people to see his daughter and of organising the vehicle used to transport her before she was killed.
“I’m bitter to see Oyamo and Casper there. They are two people who saw my daughter last, organising how the car will transport my daughter and later kill her,” he told the court.
“I’m bitter. If I were a dog, I would bite them and lick their blood. I’m too bitter. I’m bitter with the two, Obiero and Oyamo,” he added.
Lawyers representing Obado adopted Sharon’s parents’ plea, urging the court to consider both the legal circumstances and the psychological well-being of the victims.
Counsel for Oyamo and Obiero also sought leniency, describing their clients as men of good standing in society with young families who depend on them.
The defence submissions followed arguments by prosecution counsel Gikui Gicui, who urged the court to impose the maximum sentence, arguing that the murder was planned and coordinated and deserved a punishment that reflects its gravity.
The prosecution further urged the court to consider deterrence and public confidence in the justice system, arguing that the wishes of Sharon’s family should not determine the sentence, which remains the responsibility of the court.
The State noted that the three convicts had no previous criminal records but maintained that their status as first-time offenders did not diminish the seriousness of the murder conviction.
Justice Githua is expected to sentence Obado, Oyamo and Obiero on November 27, 2026.
[Daily News Kenya-International@September 16,2026]
