Sharon Otieno’s family seeks compensation ahead of Obado sentencing

The family of the late Sharon Otieno has told the court that they are seeking compensation rather than a prison sentence for former Migori Governor Okoth Obado, saying a jail term will not bring back their daughter.

In a probation and pre-sentence report filed ahead of Obado’s sentencing on September 16, 2026, Sharon’s parents said they are open to reconciliation and would not oppose a non-custodial sentence if their demands are met.

The family wants Obado to honour commitments they say he made to Sharon before her death, including providing a house, supporting her three children financially, and replacing the family vehicle they sold to meet expenses during the eight-year legal battle.

They told the court that the case had taken a heavy financial and emotional toll, forcing them to sell land, livestock, and a vehicle, with travel and accommodation costs exceeding KSh 1.2 million.

Reports indicate that Obado’s family met Sharon’s relatives on August 10, 2026, and expressed willingness to support the surviving children and fulfil some of the commitments.

The request has sparked mixed reactions among Kenyans, with some supporting the family’s decision to seek help for the children, while others argue that justice should still take its course.