This archive report was first published on 1 July 2021.
On June 17, the Ministry of Health issued directions to prevent the spread of the Delta variant of COVID-19. As a result, travel restrictions were imposed on counties considered COVID-19 hotspots, including Migori.
Migori Governor Okoth Obado has applied to have his murder case postponed, citing these travel restrictions. In a letter to the Director of Public Prosecution Noordin Haji, Obado's lawyer, Kioko Kilukumi, explained that his client would be unable to travel to Nairobi for the hearing of his case.
Obado's application came on the same day that the family of slain Rongo University student Sharon Otieno asked the Judiciary to fast-track the case against him. The trial is set to kick off on July 5 and proceed for 10 days, ending on July 15.
However, Obado wants the date pushed further and has requested that the case be mentioned virtually on Monday next week so that new hearing dates can be fixed. The Director of Public Prosecution, Noordin Haji, has stated that his office is ready to proceed with the hearing as scheduled and will oppose Obado's application to have the case postponed.
The prosecution has lined up 37 witnesses to testify against the governor and his co-accused.
