DPP asks court to consider death sentence for Obado, two co-convicts

The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has urged the High Court in Nairobi to consider imposing a death sentence on former Migori governor Zachary Okoth Obado and his two co-convicts over the murder of university student Sharon Otieno and her unborn child.

During sentencing submissions before Justice Cecilia Githua, Senior Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions Gikui Gichuhi asked the court to impose the maximum sentence provided under Section 204 of the Penal Code, citing the circumstances of the offence and the individual culpability of the three convicts.

Obado’s personal assistant Michael Juma Oyamo and Caspal Obiero were also convicted alongside the former governor.

Gichuhi told the court that the prosecution respected Sharon’s parents’ decision to forgive Obado and their request for leniency, but argued that their views could not determine the sentence.

“Reconciliation may bring peace to a family; it cannot erase the aggravating circumstances in which a life was unlawfully and deliberately taken,” Gichuhi submitted.

Sharon’s parents, Douglas Otieno and Melinda Auma, told the court they had forgiven Obado and appealed for a non-custodial sentence.

The prosecution opposed the request, arguing that a non-custodial sentence would not adequately reflect the gravity of the offence or meet the objectives of punishment, denunciation and deterrence.

Gichuhi argued that the murder was not merely a private dispute but a public offence against the State and society.

Sharon Otieno’s mother pleads with court not to impose a custodial sentence on Obado

Babu Owino called me complaining about Linda Mwananchi infighting; Junet Mohamed

Natembeya will be Sifuna’s downfall – Caleb Amisi

KWS cuts entry fees for teachers and students in parks

She said the court should take into account accountability, proportionality, deterrence, denunciation and public confidence in the administration of justice.

“The Court must impose a lawful and proportionate sentence after independently weighing the totality of the material,” Gichuhi said.

The prosecution told the court that it had placed before it the relevant law, aggravating and mitigating circumstances, victim impact material, probation reports and public-interest considerations to guide the sentencing decision.

The three were convicted after the court found that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt in relation to the killing of Sharon and her unborn child.

The case followed the 2018 killing of Sharon, whose body was found in a thicket in Homa Bay County after she went missing while pregnant.

The court will consider the prosecution’s submissions and the mitigation before determining the appropriate sentence for each of the three convicted persons.

The sentencing is expected on November 27, 2026.

Court sets new date for Obado sentence ruling

Attacks from DCP leaders have stopped; Ndindi Nyoro

KNH responds after a mother loses all the quintuplets

TikTok announces new tax information requirement for Kenyan content creators