Former Migori Governor Okoth Obado, his former personal assistant Michael Oyamo, and former Migori County Communications Director Caspal Obiero have been found guilty of murder after the High Court ruled that the prosecution had proved its case against all three accused persons. 
By Fredrick Kioko,
Former Migori Governor Okoth Obado, his former personal assistant Michael Oyamo, and former Migori County Communications Director Caspal Obiero have been found guilty of murder after the High Court ruled that the prosecution had proved its case against all three accused persons.
In a detailed judgment, the court held that the three acted together, alongside other individuals not before the court, in executing a common criminal plan that resulted in the death of the deceased.
The judge found that Obado provided the motive for the crime, while Oyamo facilitated its execution and Obiero offered assistance in carrying out the unlawful act.
The court further ruled that Obado's absence from the scene of the killing did not absolve him of criminal responsibility, noting that criminal liability does not depend on an accused person's physical presence where an offence is committed if they shared a common intention with the perpetrators.
Relying on circumstantial evidence, the court concluded that all three accused acted with malice aforethought and directly caused the death of the deceased. It also found that they were principal offenders under Section 20 of the Penal Code.
Consequently, the court convicted Obado, Oyamo and Obiero of the offence of murder as charged.
The conviction marks a major milestone in one of Kenya's most closely watched murder trials, with sentencing expected in subsequent court proceedings.
