The Milimani High Court in Nairobi is delivering its long-awaited judgment in the high-profile murder case involving former Migori Governor Zachary Okoth Obado and his two co-accused.
Justice Cecilia Githua is presiding over the case, which has taken seven years to conclude following the 2018 murder of Rongo University student Sharon Otieno.
Obado is charged alongside his former personal assistant Michael Oyamo and former Migori County Clerk Caspal Obiero. The three have denied the charges and maintained their innocence throughout the trial.
Sharon, who was 26 years old and seven months pregnant at the time of her death, was abducted alongside Nation Media Group journalist Barrack Oduor between September 3 and 4, 2018. Oduor managed to escape by jumping from the vehicle, while Sharon was later found dead near Kodera Forest in Homa Bay County.
In reaching her decision, Justice Githua has considered evidence presented by the prosecution, including testimony from 42 witnesses and 81 exhibits. The evidence included forensic cybercrime reports, WhatsApp messages, text messages and mobile phone call records.
The case has attracted significant public attention, with the judgment expected to bring an end to a lengthy legal process surrounding the death of Sharon Otieno.