Obado released on bail but barred from accessing office

The embattled Migori Governor Okoth Obado has been released on a Sh8.7 million cash bail or Sh20 million bond and barred from accessing the Migori County office until his case is heard and determined. Chief Magistrate Lawrence Mugambi who made the ruling on Monday said  the governor will be escorted to pick personal belongings. All the accused in the case will give their ID numbers to the Immigration Department who will block their departure from Kenya while Obado and his children were ordered to surrender their passports in court. The accused are  Obado's children Dan Okoth, Scarlet Okoth, Jerry Okoth, Evelyn Okoth, his friend Jared Kwaga Odoyo and Kwaga’s mother Peninah Auma. Obado is also facing other eight separate charges relating to conflict of interest. He is accused of being a behind suspect contracts that paid money into his children's accounts. The prosecution told the court not to be released on bail arguing that the governor who is facing murder charges in a separate case is flight risk and can interfere with witnesses. Obado's lawyer Kioko Kilukumi said his client cannot run away from jurisdiction claiming that the governor drove himself to the Kisii EACC offices to surrender himself when he could escape to Tanzania, which is near Migori.