"Justice Has Finally Been Served" – Governor Gladys Wanga Speaks After Obado Conviction in Sharon Otieno Murder Case

Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga has welcomed the High Court's conviction of former Migori Governor Okoth Obado and his co-accused in the murder of university student Sharon Otieno, describing the verdict as a victory for justice and the rule of law.

In a statement issued shortly after the judgment, Wanga said the court's decision marked the end of one of Kenya's most closely watched criminal cases and offered long-awaited justice to Sharon's family and the nation.

The High Court found former Migori Governor Okoth Obado, his former personal assistant Michael Oyamo, and former Migori County official Caspal Obiero guilty of Sharon Otieno's murder, concluding a case that has gripped the country for years.

Governor Wanga, whose Homa Bay County is both Sharon Otieno's home county and the location where the murder occurred, praised the judiciary for the manner in which it handled the proceedings.

She commended the integrity, transparency, and efficiency demonstrated throughout the trial, saying the judgment reaffirmed public confidence in Kenya's justice system.

According to Wanga, the verdict is significant not only for Sharon's family but also for women, mothers, and all Kenyans who followed the case while hoping that justice would prevail.

She said the truth had finally emerged and expressed her belief that justice had ultimately been served after years of legal proceedings.

The governor noted that the ruling sends a strong message that no individual, regardless of their social or political status, is above the law and that victims of violent crimes deserve justice.

The conviction of Obado and his co-accused closes a chapter in a case that sparked nationwide outrage following Sharon Otieno's brutal killing in 2018. The murder drew widespread condemnation from human rights organizations, women's rights groups, and political leaders, who consistently called for accountability.

Attention now shifts to the sentencing phase, where the court is expected to determine the punishment to be imposed on the three convicted persons. The verdict is being viewed as a landmark moment in Kenya's pursuit of justice in cases involving gender-based violence and abuse of power.