The High Court has found former Migori Governor Okoth Obado, his former personal assistant Michael Oyamo, and Caspal Obiero guilty of the murder of Rongo University student Sharon Otieno, ruling that the prosecution proved its case against all three beyond reasonable doubt.

In its judgment, the court determined that the evidence clearly showed the three men acted together in carrying out the crime, with each playing a specific role in the murder.

The court held that Obado financed the killing, Oyamo was instrumental in coordinating its execution, while Obiero helped conceal the crime.

According to the judge, their coordinated actions demonstrated a shared intention to commit the offence and amounted to malice aforethought.

Justice Cecilia Githua also ruled that Obado could not escape criminal responsibility simply because he was in Nairobi when Sharon was killed.

The court found that, despite being away from Migori County, he was involved in planning and facilitating the murder.

The judge concluded that the prosecution had presented overwhelming evidence linking all three accused to Sharon Otieno’s death and had successfully established every legal element required to sustain a murder conviction.

Following the guilty verdict, the court revoked the bail granted to Obado, Oyamo, and Obiero, ordering that they be taken into police custody pending sentencing.

Justice Githua directed that pre-sentence reports and victim impact assessment reports be prepared and filed within 21 days before the case returns to court.

“We can get a date after the 21 days when the matter can be mentioned to confirm that those directions have been complied with,” the judge ruled.

She further ordered that the three convicted men remain in custody until the next court appearance, stating that their bond had been cancelled following the convictions.

The convictions bring to a close one of Kenya’s most closely followed murder trials, with sentencing expected after the required reports are submitted and reviewed by the court.