Why Sharon Otieno’s Parents Stopped Obado Sentencing
The High Court on Wednesday temporarily adjourned the mitigation and sentencing hearing involving former Migori Governor Okoth Obado and his two co-convicts after Sharon Otieno’s parents requested an interpreter.
Obado and his co-convicts appeared before Justice Cecilia Githua on Wednesday, September 16, for mitigation and sentencing after they were convicted of murdering Sharon in 2018.
The proceedings took an unexpected turn when Sharon’s parents sought an opportunity to address the court before the sentencing process could proceed.
The Request That Paused the Hearing
The court heard that Sharon’s parents had not filed a victim impact statement after their lawyers said the Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) had advised them against doing so.
“On the part of the petitioner’s family, instructed by the Federation of Women Lawyers, we did not file submissions for reasons we cannot state now,” said Sharon’s family’s lawyer.
The development prompted the court to temporarily adjourn the proceedings to ensure an interpreter is available to facilitate the parents’ participation in the hearing.
However, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) had already filed victim impact reports relating to the three convicts, which the court is expected to consider during sentencing.
The impact reports detail the impact of Sharon’s murder on her family and are among the materials that the court can consider alongside mitigation and pre-sentencing reports.
Nearly Two Months After Conviction
The sentencing hearing comes nearly two months after Justice Githua convicted Obado and two others after the judge found that the prosecution had proved its case against the three beyond reasonable doubt.
The court found that the three played different roles in the murder, with the prosecution’s evidence establishing a chain of circumstances linking them to Sharon’s killing.
Following their conviction on July 23, the court cancelled their bond terms and ordered them to remain in custody pending sentencing.
A Family’s Eight-Year Ordeal
Sharon’s family has previously told the court about the financial and emotional burden caused by the murder and the prolonged court proceedings.
A probation report indicated that the family had spent about KSh4.7 million during the eight-year legal battle and had raised some of the money through the sale of property and livestock.
The family has also been involved in reconciliation efforts with Obado’s relatives, with the former governor’s family meeting Sharon’s parents in August as the sentencing date approached.
What Happens Next
The court will reconvene once an interpreter is available to allow Sharon’s parents to participate in the sentencing hearing. The ODPP’s victim impact reports, mitigation submissions, and pre-sentencing reports will all be considered before Justice Githua delivers the sentence.