The mother of slain University student Sharon Otieno has appealed to the court to spare former Migori Governor Okoth Obado a death or life sentence, saying the family has forgiven him and does not want to see him suffer further.
In an emotional plea during the court proceedings, Sharon’s mother said her family’s relationship with Obado during the trial and after his conviction has been good and she hopes it remains so. She said Sharon left behind three children whose welfare remained a concern for the family, arguing that Obado could help her take care of them if the court considered a non-custodial sentence.
Sharon’s mother said that during the court proceedings, Obado had been barred from meeting the family but was nevertheless willing to support them. “Even after the conviction, the relationship between Obado and my daughter during the court proceedings, and the relationship even after the conviction, does not allow me to see him go for the death sentence,” she said.
The mother told the court that sending Obado to prison for life, or subjecting him to a death sentence, would reopen painful wounds for the family. “If he goes for death or life sentencing, I’ll see another death in my life,” she said.
Interestingly, her mitigation were only for Obado specifically and not his two co-accused in the case.
