Late Sharon demanded Sh25m house, car and Sh5m upkeep - Court told

The late Rongo University student Sharon Otieno had demanded a Sh25 Million house in Nairobi or Kisumu from former Migori Governor Okoth Obado before she met her death in September 2018, a witness told a Nairobi court on Tuesday.

Homa Bay ex-MCA Lawrence Mula told trial Judge Cecilia Githua that Sharon also wanted a good car equal to that of a governor's wife and Sh5 million for upkeep.

The court heard that the late student was desirous of a glamorous lifestyle, especially after getting pregnant for Obado.

She could not go by road when attending her clinic rounds at Nairobi Hospital but always sought to go by plane.

Mula met Sharon at a hotel in Homa Bay while he was having tea.

Sharon approached Mula's table and introduced herself.

She knew Mula was an MCA. She approached him with the intention of asking for some financial assistance.

Mula told the court that Sharon wanted to go public regarding her affair with the former Governor if that is what would make him assist her.

She asked the MCA to urgently assist her with Sh5,000 as she was suffering.

But the MCA didn't have much cash at hand. He undertook to get her some money the following day which he did.

Mula met Sharon the day after and gave her Sh1,500. This was in July 2018. They met at the Graca Hotel in Homa Bay at around 3:30pm. From his assessment, he realised Sharon was expectant.

Sharon after receiving the money asked the MCA if he knew any journalist.

Mula said he knew many and shared journalist Barrack's contacts with her.

Sharon reached out to Barrack who was under witness protection. She wanted Barrack to publish her story.

They agreed to meet at a later date.

When they met, the MCA was also present.

Sharon disclosed to the journalist and the MCA details regarding her affair with the former county chief.

As this was going on, the journalist received a call allegedly from Obado. The two spoke for close to half an hour.

"When he was done with the call, the journalist called me aside. He told me he had been talking to the governor. The governor requested the journalist to go to his home in Rapogi to see how to settle the Sharon issue. He also requested that I accompany him," said Mula.

Mula only promised to escort him if the meeting was genuine.

He asked the journalist to confirm the authenticity of the meeting to which the journalist said he believed it was genuine because the governor got his number from MP John Mbadi.

Mbadi was a friend of the journalist.

It was because of this that Mula decided to go. He formed the opinion that there was nothing fishy about the meeting.

All this while, the journalist did not inform Sharon that he had talked to Obado.

The MCA and the journalist later left for Obado's home. They arrived but the governor was not in. Still, they were ushered in by his security team.

After 30 minutes, Obado arrived. The journalist and the MCA were taken to a boardroom.

They introduced themselves formally and Obado proceeded to ask where the problem was.

The journalist told Obado that Sharon approached him and shared their WhatsApp messages and chats.

Obado did not deny the chats but wondered why Sharon was sharing their conversation with third parties.

"As this was going on, I kept quiet for some time because I was just an escort," said Mula the MCA.

From the conversation that was going on, Mula told the court that Barrack was insisting that Obado fulfils certain demands or else he would go public regarding his affair with Sharon.

"Now that is where I came in. I said the main issue was the welfare of Sharon and not going public," said Mula.

Sharon's condition was for Obado to buy her a Car, and a house either in Nairobi or Kisumu.

But Obado said her demands were too high and she should reconsider.

Obado requested the MCA to handle the issue because he was a family man and he understood such scenarios.

"I told him I would try. I asked him to give me time," said Mula.

Obado subsequently asked his wife to assist him with Sh100,000, promising to rerun it the following day. But the wife gave him only Sh30,000.

That money, he said, was given to the journalist.

What followed after this was a series of meetings between Obado, his personal assistant Michae Oyamo and the MCA.

All with a view to settling Sharon's matter amicably.

The meetings would take place in Nairobi and the governor would cater for Mula's transport and accommodation.

Obado would find out from Mula what Sharon needed urgently.

But Sharon's earlier demands remained the same.

She still wanted a house worth Sh25 million. She believed she deserve it because she saw herself as the governor's wife.

Obado was however still not okay with the demands. He suggested that they buy a plot for Sharon where they can build her a good home to stay in.

He estimated the cost to be around Sh4 million.

Obado requested Mula to sell the idea to Sharon which he did.

Sharon welcomed the idea and insisted the house should be fully furnished.

She was to receive the money at the end of August 2018.

But before that money was sent, Sharon demanded Sh200,000. She said it was money for the clinic and upkeep.

Mula told the court that he called Obado and informed him what the lady wanted. Obado though hesitant still agreed to send her the money.

The money was delivered by his PA Oyamo three days later. We went to collect it with Sharon at a hotel in Homa Bay. That is when I realised they two knew each other.

Oyamo asked Sharon to be patient as her matters were being looked into.

The witness who is the prosecution's 28th witness further said that "at some point, Sharon told me to leave her matters and she will handle everything herself".

Obado, his personal aides Micheal Oyamo and Caspal Obiero are currently in court facing trial over the murder of Sharon and her unborn baby.

The three and others not before the court are accused of committing the crime on September 3 2018 at Owade, Homa Bay County.

Hearing of the case continues..