Sharon Otieno's family breaks silence after Obado murder conviction, begins journey to healing

After years of pain and waiting, the family of the late Sharon Otieno, who was murdered in cold blood in 2018, can finally breathe a sigh of relief.

Sharon's mother, father and siblings joined worshippers for a special thanksgiving service at Magare Got SDA Church in Homa Bay on Saturday, where they expressed relief at the end of a painful chapter and the conclusion of an eight-year quest for justice.

It was their first public appearance since the High Court found former Migori Governor Zachary Okoth Obado, his former personal assistant Michael Oyamo and former Migori County Clerk Caspal Obiero guilty of her murder.

"It has not been easy for the family. The family has been grieving all the way through and even today after the judgment we are still grieving, but because of God we shall not grieve forever,” said Sharon’s mother Melinda Auma.

The July 23, 2026 judgment by Justice Cecilia Githua brought to an end the family's torturously long eight-year journey in and out of court, where they attended countless hearings as details of the gruesome murder of their daughter and unborn grandchild were revisited in a case that gripped the nation.

Sharon's mother, Melinda Auma, said the family not only endured the pain of losing their daughter but also suffered years of cyberbullying.

"Psychologically, it has been tormenting. Socially, there has been a lot of bullying on social media as if I am not a mother, as if those bullying the family are not parents, as if Sharon was not somebody's daughter, as if she did not deserve her dignity,” Melinda noted.

Sharon Belyne Otieno was 26 years old when she was killed in September 2018. She was then a student at Rongo University and a mother who was expecting her second child.

She had slowed down on her studies in the advanced stages of her pregnancy to prepare for the birth of her baby.

Her life took a tragic turn when circumstances surrounding her pregnancy and her reported relationship with then Migori Governor Okoth Obado became the subject of national attention.

On September 4, 2018, her body was discovered in a thicket near Kodera Forest in Uriri, Homa Bay County. News of her death sent shockwaves across the country, with many Kenyans expressing grief and anger over the killing of the young university student and her unborn child, while others were horrified by the chilling details that later emerged in court.

Despite the loss, Melinda says her faith has carried her through the difficult journey and enabled her to forgive those responsible.

"I am very strong in the Lord, and that has made my journey to be this far. I have mourned my daughter enough. Let her rest in peace. Actually, she has found justice. I have forgiven those who might have involved themselves in that act as a Christian. It is well with us all,” her father Melinda said.

For the Otieno family, Saturday’s thanksgiving service marked the beginning of a new chapter.

They say the court's verdict has finally brought closure to years of anguish. A family that walked into court seeking justice walked out of church embracing peace, healing and hope—one prayer at a time.