Sharon Otieno Case: Conspiracy to Murder Charge against Governor Okoth Obado Dropped

The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has withdrawn a conspiracy to a murder charge against Migori Governor Okoth Obado.

This means that the embattled Governor will only face a murder charge in the slain Rongo University student Sharon Otieno's case.

The decision by the prosecution to drop the charge against Obado has been protested by Sharon's family

Given the high threshold required to prove a murder charge, the family of Ms. Otieno feels justice will be denied should the court fail to convict Obado with murder.

Through their lawyer Prof. George Wajackoya, the family has told the DPP that the move is likely to weaken the case and create a loophole for Governor Obado to escape justice.

Deputy DPP Jacob Ondari has, however, assured the family that justice would be delivered regardless of the technical legal strategy.

Ondari explains that a conspiracy to commit murder charge cannot be tried in the High Court, which only has jurisdiction on murder cases.

“The offense of murder is complete and that is what we are trying at the High Court. The High Court cannot try both charges. It was dropped since it could be tried in a lower court at a later time,” Ondari states.

“The charge was dropped since it could be tried in a lower court, later."

Sharon, who was in a love affair with Governor Obado, was seven months pregnant with the politician's child at the time of her killing.

Obado is facing a murder charge alongside his personal assistant Michael Oyamo and County Clerk Caspal Obiero. The prosecution says it has lined up more than 30 witnesses.