After nearly eight years of legal battles, the day Kenyans have been waiting for is finally here. Tomorrow, the High Court will deliver its judgment in the murder case of Rongo University student Sharon Otieno, bringing to a close one of the country's longest and most closely watched criminal trials.
The ruling, scheduled for Thursday, 23 July 2026, at the Milimani Law Courts in Nairobi, will determine the fate of former Migori Governor Okoth Obado and his two co-accused.
The case has gripped the nation since September 2018, when the 26-year-old student was abducted. Her lifeless body, alongside that of her unborn child, was discovered the following day in a thicket near Kodera Forest in Homa Bay County.
The gruesome killing sparked national outrage and renewed difficult conversations about violence against women. Obado, his former personal assistant Michael Oyamo, and former county clerk Caspal Obiero were subsequently charged with her murder.
Throughout the long proceedings, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions presented evidence from 42 prosecution witnesses. This evidence included witness testimony, mobile phone records, SMS messages, and WhatsApp communications.
Among the key witnesses were PW9 and PW38, whose testimony placed one of the accused among the people last seen with Sharon during her abduction.
The trial took several years to conclude, partly due to disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting court operations. The judgment was initially scheduled for May 29, 2026, but was postponed to allow the court more time to prepare its decision.
As the court prepares to deliver its verdict, FIDA-Kenya, which is watching brief for Sharon's family, has reaffirmed its confidence in the administration of justice. In a statement, the organisation said it trusts that the court's determination will be guided solely by the evidence presented and the applicable law. FIDA-Kenya has also indicated that it will issue further communication after the judgment is delivered.
The outcome of this case is expected to attract nationwide attention, given its prominence and the public interest it has generated since 2018.
The verdict will determine the criminal responsibility of the three accused persons and mark the conclusion of one of Kenya's most significant murder trials in recent years.
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