Obado had motive to eliminate Sharon Otieno - Justice Githua

Lady Justice Cecilia Githua rejected Obado's claim that he had accepted Sharon's pregnancy and genuinely supported her financially, describing the assertion as insincere.

“I am persuaded to agree that to, to eradicate the imminent threat of having the possibility, of having the possibility of having his name or reputation dragged through the mud by publication in the mainstream media of this relationship with Sharon, the first accused instigated a scheme to eliminate Sharon, and use, and using his influence as the Governor of Migori County, he must, he enlisted the services of his trusted aides: the second accused, who was his Personal Assistant,” ruled lady justice Githua.

The judge found that evidence showed Obado had pressured Sharon to terminate the pregnancy and allegedly gave her Ksh.30,000 for that purpose, which she declined following advice from her mother.

The court further held that if Obado had genuinely cared for Sharon throughout the pregnancy, he would not have distanced himself from her or ignored her phone calls.

Justice Githua agreed with the prosecution that the money Obado sent Sharon was not out of goodwill but was intended to silence her, delay the disclosure of their affair, and prevent the relationship from becoming public.

"It cannot be a mere coincidence that the first accused developed renewed interest in the deceased when she threatened to publicise their affair," the judge observed.

The court found that Obado wanted to contain the relationship and, to eliminate the threat of his name and reputation being exposed, instigated a scheme to kill Sharon.

Justice Githua held that Obado, using his influence as the Governor of Migori, enlisted the assistance of his two co-accused, who were county government employees, to execute the plan.

"There is no doubt that the first accused would have been the ultimate beneficiary of such a plot," the judge ruled.

The court continues delivering judgment in the murder case against Obado and his two co-accused, Michael Oyamo and Caspal Obiero.