Former Migori Governor Okoth Obado has arrived at the Milimani High Court ahead of the delivery of judgment in the high-profile murder case involving university student Sharon Otieno.
The court is expected to determine the fate of Obado and his co-accused, who have been on trial over the killing of Sharon, whose body was found in Homa Bay County in September 2018.
The case, which has drawn widespread public attention for years, is at its final stage, with the High Court set to deliver its verdict after hearing testimony from witnesses and submissions from both the prosecution and the defence.
The High Court is expected to determine whether the prosecution has proved beyond a reasonable doubt that Obado, his former personal assistant Michael Oyamo and former Migori County clerk Caspal Obiero were responsible for Sharon's murder.
The case traces its roots to the night of September 3 and 4, 2018, when Sharon, who was about seven months pregnant, was allegedly abducted alongside Nation Media Group journalist Barrack Oduor after the two left a hotel in Rongo.
Oduor is alleged to have escaped by jumping from the moving vehicle, but Sharon was later found dead near Kodera Forest in Uriri, Homa Bay county.
Chief Government pathologist Johansen Oduor concluded her death was caused by strangulation and excessive bleeding as a result of stab wounds.
The gruesome killing triggered nationwide outrage and prompted a multi-agency investigation that quickly focused on senior officials in Migori county.
Obado first appeared before the High Court on September 24, 2018, where he was jointly charged with the murder of Sharon and her unborn child alongside Oyamo and Obiero.
All three denied the charges.
Throughout the trial, the prosecution assembled an extensive circumstantial case, calling 42 witnesses in an effort to demonstrate that Obado orchestrated Sharon's killing to conceal their relationship and her pregnancy.
Prosecutors relied on witness testimony, mobile phone records, forensic evidence, and movements of the accused persons before and after the murder.
