The High Court will tomorrow, Thursday, deliver judgment in the high-profile murder case of Rongo university student Sharon Otieno, bringing to a close one of Kenya's longest and most closely watched criminal trials.
Ahead of the ruling, the Federation of Women Lawyers in Kenya (FIDA-Kenya) said it was standing with Sharon's family and expressed confidence that the court would determine the case solely on the evidence presented and the applicable law.
The judgment in Republic v Okoth Obado & 2 Others (Criminal Case No. 46 of 2018) will be delivered at the Milimani Law Courts in Nairobi.
Former Migori Governor Okoth Obado, former Migori County communications director Michael Oyamo and former county clerk Caspal Obiero are charged with the murder of Sharon and her unborn child.
They have denied the charges.
In a statement issued Wednesday, FIDA-Kenya said it has closely followed the case since Sharon's death and continues to support her family in their quest for justice.
"FIDA-Kenya is watching brief for Sharon Otieno's family and has continued to stand with them throughout the judicial process as they seek justice for the tragic loss of their daughter and her unborn child," the organisation said.
Sharon was abducted on September 3, 2018, before her body, together with that of her unborn baby, was found a day later in a thicket near Kodera Forest in Homa Bay County.
The gruesome killing sparked national outrage and renewed debate on violence against women and gender-based crimes.
According to FIDA-Kenya, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) presented evidence from 42 prosecution witnesses during the trial.
The evidence included witness testimony, mobile phone records, SMS messages and WhatsApp communications.
Among the witnesses were PW9 and PW38, whose testimony, according to FIDA, placed one of the accused among the people last seen with Sharon before her death.
The case has taken nearly eight years to conclude after experiencing delays, partly due to disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent court scheduling challenges.
"Despite these delays, Sharon's family has remained focused on pursuing justice through the judicial process," FIDA-Kenya said.
As the court prepares to render its verdict, the women's rights organisation urged the public to respect the judicial process and allow the court to determine the matter independently.
"We trust that the Court's determination will be guided solely by the evidence presented and the applicable law," FIDA-Kenya Chairperson Christine Kungu said.
She added that FIDA-Kenya would issue a further statement after the judgment is delivered.
The outcome of the case is expected to attract nationwide attention given its prominence and the public interest it has generated since 2018.
The verdict will determine the criminal responsibility of the three accused persons and is expected to mark the conclusion of one of Kenya's most significant murder trials in recent years, a case that has remained at the centre of national conversations on justice, accountability and the protection of women from gender-based violence.
