By Brian Kiprono - Reporter
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Kenya, July 22, 2026 - Nearly eight years after the killing of Rongo University student Sharon Otieno, the High Court is set to deliver its long-awaited judgment on Thursday in a case that has become a symbol of Kenya's fight against violence against women and accountability.
The ruling, to be delivered at the Milimani Law Courts, will determine the fate of former Migori Governor Okoth Obado, his former personal assistant Michael Oyamo, and former Migori County Clerk Caspal Obiero, who have all denied charges of murdering Sharon and her unborn child.
The case has remained in the national spotlight since September 2018, when Sharon was abducted before her body was discovered a day later in a thicket near Kodera Forest in Homa Bay County.
Ahead of the verdict, the Federation of Women Lawyers in Kenya (FIDA-Kenya) reaffirmed its support for Sharon's family, saying it remains hopeful that justice will be guided solely by the evidence presented in court.
"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.
The women's rights group also urged Kenyans to respect the independence of the court as it delivers its judgment.
"We trust that the Court's determination will be guided solely by the evidence presented and the applicable law," said FIDA-Kenya Chairperson Christine Kungu.
The judgment, initially scheduled for May 29, was postponed to allow the court more time to prepare its decision.
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During the trial, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) called 42 witnesses, presenting mobile phone records, text messages, WhatsApp communications, forensic evidence and witness testimonies, which prosecutors argued established a coordinated plan involving the accused.
In its final submissions, the prosecution maintained that the evidence proved the case beyond reasonable doubt.
"The totality of the evidence fits together seamlessly. It forms a single, coherent picture pointing to the guilt of the accused persons," Senior Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions Gikui Gichuhi told the court.
The prosecution argued that Sharon was targeted to avoid political and personal consequences, while describing the defence case as contradictory. The accused persons have denied the allegations.
The verdict comes as concerns over violence against women continue to grow. According to UN Women, gender-based violence remains one of the world's most widespread human rights violations, with one in three women globally experiencing physical or sexual violence in their lifetime, mostly at the hands of an intimate partner. The agency has repeatedly called for stronger justice systems to ensure survivors and victims' families receive timely justice.
Thursday's ruling is expected to draw nationwide attention, with many viewing it as a significant test of Kenya's commitment to justice, accountability and the protection of women from gender-based violence.