This archive report was first published on 27 December 2019.
It has been over a year since the body of Rongo University student Sharon Otieno was found in a thicket near Oyugis, sparking widespread outrage and calls for justice. However, the case remains unresolved, and the family's pain and grief continue to linger.
On September 4, this year, the family commemorated the deaths in a low-key event, attended by only a handful of neighbors, friends, and relatives. The event was a stark contrast to the public outcry and political drama that surrounded the case in its early days.
Sharon's parents, Mr. Douglas Otieno and Ms. Melida Auma, expressed their disappointment and frustration at the lack of support from politicians who had made promises to help them. They pleaded with the Judiciary to speed up the case against the accused, saying that finding someone guilty would give them closure and bring an end to their suffering.
The family's pain is compounded by the fact that the case has become politicized, with politicians using it to further their own interests. The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party, led by Raila Odinga, used the murders to campaign against Governor Obado's group, which supported Jubilee candidate Eddy Oketch.
Despite the DNA evidence confirming that Governor Obado was the biological father of Sharon's unborn son, the case remains unresolved. The High Court in Nairobi released the county boss on a Sh5 million bail, but the family feels that justice has not been served.
As the family continues to wait for justice, they are left to wonder if they will ever find closure. The case serves as a reminder of the need for politicians to keep their promises and support those affected by tragedy.
