The case drew national attention because of the circumstances surrounding her death and the high-profile individuals charged in connection with it.
Sharon Belyne Otieno was a second-year student at Rongo University and a mother of three children. Determined to build a better future, she had returned to school with the support of her family while raising her children. At the time of her death, she was 28 weeks pregnant.
Sharon Belyne Otieno was a second-year student at Rongo University and a mother of three children. Determined to build a better future, she had returned to school with the support of her family while raising her children. At the time of her death, she was 28 weeks pregnant.
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Her life came to a tragic end after she was abducted on September 3, 2018, shortly after leaving a hotel in Rongo with journalist Barrack Oduor. Oduor managed to escape from the vehicle during the incident, but Sharon was taken away. Her body was discovered the following day in a thicket near Kodera Forest in Homa Bay County.
A post-mortem examination established that Sharon died from severe blood loss caused by multiple stab wounds. The examination also confirmed that her unborn baby did not survive the attack, making the case one of the country's most heartbreaking criminal investigations.
Former Migori Governor Zacharia Okoth Obado, his former personal assistant Michael Juma Oyamo and former county clerk Casper Ojwang Obiero were subsequently charged with the murders of Sharon and her unborn child. All three accused persons denied the charges throughout the trial.
Over the years, the case produced several significant court rulings. Obado was granted bail after depositing KSh5 million in cash and providing two sureties of the same amount. Initially, the High Court declined to release Oyamo and Obiero on bail, citing concerns over public order, but the Court of Appeal later granted each of them bail after finding no sufficient reason to continue holding them.
Her life came to a tragic end after she was abducted on September 3, 2018, shortly after leaving a hotel in Rongo with journalist Barrack Oduor. Oduor managed to escape from the vehicle during the incident, but Sharon was taken away. Her body was discovered the following day in a thicket near Kodera Forest in Homa Bay County.
A post-mortem examination established that Sharon died from severe blood loss caused by multiple stab wounds. The examination also confirmed that her unborn baby did not survive the attack, making the case one of the country's most heartbreaking criminal investigations.
Former Migori Governor Zacharia Okoth Obado, his former personal assistant Michael Juma Oyamo and former county clerk Casper Ojwang Obiero were subsequently charged with the murders of Sharon and her unborn child. All three accused persons denied the charges throughout the trial.
Over the years, the case produced several significant court rulings. Obado was granted bail after depositing KSh5 million in cash and providing two sureties of the same amount. Initially, the High Court declined to release Oyamo and Obiero on bail, citing concerns over public order, but the Court of Appeal later granted each of them bail after finding no sufficient reason to continue holding them.
Another notable development came in December 2019 when the High Court disqualified lawyer George Wajackoyah from representing Sharon's family, ruling that his previous interactions with Obado created a conflict of interest that could prejudice the proceedings.
In January 2025, the High Court ruled that the prosecution had presented sufficient evidence requiring the three accused persons to defend themselves against the charge relating to Sharon's death. However, the court dismissed the separate murder charge concerning her unborn child, finding that under Kenyan law the evidence did not satisfy the legal definition required for that specific offence, while noting that a different offence relating to the death of an unborn child had not been brought before the court.
The prosecution called 42 witnesses before closing its case, after which the accused presented their defences while maintaining their innocence.
The final judgment in the long-running case was scheduled for July 23, 2026, marking the culmination of nearly eight years of legal proceedings. Until a verdict is delivered, all accused persons remain presumed innocent under Kenyan law unless proven guilty by the court.
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Sharon Otieno's case continues to be remembered as one of Kenya's most closely followed criminal trials, highlighting the complexities of the justice system while keeping public attention focused on accountability, due process and the pursuit of justice.
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