A collage of former Migori Governor Okoth Obado and the late Sharon Otieno/FILE
Former Migori Governor Okoth Obado has defended
himself against accusations of killing his lover, Sharon Otieno, saying he was
never involved in the murder.
Obado, who was testifying in the murder trial on Wednesday, however, admitted that he was in a love relationship with Sharon.
The former governor told trial judge Justice Cecilia Githua that he was not in any way involved in Sharon’s murder.
Sharon was killed in 2018 in Homa Bay County. Obado, his personal assistant, Michael Oyamo and Caspal Obiero were later charged with her murder. They have all denied the charges.
“I did not kill Sharon Otieno. I did not conspire with my two co-accused persons or anyone to kill the late Sharon Otieno. I did not procure anybody to kill the late Sharon Otieno,” Obado said in his testimony.
He added, “The killing, whether by my co-accused or anybody, did not have my involvement.”
Obado, however, admitted that he was in a relationship with Sharon and that the affair was known by his family, Sharon’s family and even workers at the Migori county government which he led at the time.
Obado said he was sorry and saddened that Sharon met her death in the manner it happened. He said the death of Sharon has been a big disappointment for his family, friends and supporters.
“I generally feel sad. She did not have to die. I feel sad for the children she left behind and sad for the parents. I also feel sad that it has tainted my name. I am very sad about it and sorry that it happened, but it has absolutely nothing to do with me,” he said.
He acknowledged that Sharon was his lover and that he was responsible for her pregnancy. Obado however, said he was not willing to marry her.
“The relationship between Sharon and I was an open secret, and staff within the Migori county government were aware of the affair.”
Obado said he realised that even his wife Hellen Adhiambo, was aware of his relationship with Sharon and had even planned to catch them together in Kisumu during the 2018 Devolution Conference, which was held in the lakeside city.
He said that on the night of May 12, 2018 at around 11pm, his wife called asking whether he was at the Acacia Hotel, the venue of the conference or at another hotel.
He said the wife knew he had booked Sharon at another hotel within the city. When the nwife confronted him with the matter, he at first denied.
"I had not yet disclosed to my wife that there was another lady in my life. So when she brought it up, I was surprised she knew. I didn’t accept that I knew Sharon,” Obado said.
He later decided to confess after his wife disclosed more information about his affair with Sharon.
“I decided to open up that l truly had an affair with Sharon, and I offered my apology. I will not state the exact words I used,” he said.
