The sentencing of former Migori Governor Okoth Obado and his two co-convicts was delayed on Wednesday after the family of the late Sharon Otieno asked the court for an interpreter.
Obado appeared before High Court Judge Cecilia Githua alongside his former personal assistant Michael Oyamo and former county clerk Caspal Obiero for mitigation and sentencing.
The three were convicted in July over the murder of Sharon Otieno, who was killed in 2018.
The sentencing proceedings were temporarily stopped after Sharon’s parents asked to address the court. The family had not filed a victim impact statement, with their lawyer telling the court that they had been advised by the Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) not to file one.
The court then adjourned the proceedings to allow an interpreter to be arranged so that Sharon’s parents could take part in the hearing.
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), however, had already filed victim impact reports on the three convicts.
The reports outline how Sharon’s murder affected her family and will be considered by the court alongside the mitigation and pre-sentencing reports before the final sentence is given.
Justice Githua convicted Obado, Oyamo and Obiero on July 23 after finding that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt. The court found that the three played different roles in Sharon’s murder.
After the conviction, their bond terms were cancelled and they were ordered to remain in custody pending sentencing.
Sharon’s family has previously told the court about the financial and emotional toll of the case, which has been in court for nearly eight years.
A probation report showed that the family had spent about Ksh4.7 million during the legal battle. Some of the money was raised through the sale of property and livestock.
The family has also taken part in reconciliation efforts with Obado’s relatives. In August, members of Obado’s family met Sharon’s parents ahead of the sentencing.