Sharon tried to extort Obado in exchange for her silence: witness

Former Migori Governor Okoth Obado in the dock at a Milimani court where he is accused with the murder of Rongo University student Sharon Otieno. [File, Standard]

A witness alleges that Sharon Otieno attempted to blackmail former Migori governor, Okoth Obado, so as not to expose their relationship.

Lawrence Mula yesterday told the court that Sharon was demanding a lavish lifestyle, including a Sh25 million house, a car and money for her upkeep in return for her silence.

"At one point, she told me she needed money for clinic at Nairobi Hospital and that she can't go to a cheap hospital. I tried to convince her to go to a hospital in the county but she said she can't go to a cheap hospital and that she only goes to Nairobi for the clinic by air and not by road," said Mula, a former MCA for Kanyidoto Ward in Homa Bay County.

He testified that the saga started in July 20, 2018, while he was having tea in hotel in Homa Bay town when Sharon approached him asking for connection with a journalist.

He then arranged a meeting with the journalist, after which the journalist called him back saying Sharon had informed him about their affair with Obado and that she wanted it exposed in the media.

"Sharon told him that she befriended the ex-governor, but that Obado dumped her after she got pregnant. I thought it was a serious matter and told him to go slow and wait until the following day for us to have a discussion," said Mula.

According to the witness, the journalist had shared the same information with Nominated MP John Mbadi, who then called Obado and told him to manage the situation.

It was then that the former governor asked the journalist to go to his home in Rapogi, Migori.

"The journalist was demanding that Obado must fulfill Sharon's demands and give her money, buy her a car and a house in Nairobi or Kisumu, but the governor was complaining the demands are too high and they couldn't agree," said Mula.

He stated that after the incident at the ex-governor's house, he took up the responsibility of being the middle man between Obado and Sharon, and that Obado summoned him to Nairobi to strike a deal on how to manage the situation.

According to the witness, Obado came up with a proposal to buy her a piece of land and construct a house of between Sh3 million to Sh4 million.

When he relayed the information to Sharon, she agreed to the idea that she looks for land worth Sh800,000.

"In between the negotiations, the ex-governor still used to send her money for upkeep of between Sh50,000 to Sh200,000. Obado had also become happy with the arrangemment because he felt the lady had started becoming reasonable," said Mula.

Obado, his personal assistant Michael Oyamo Oyamo and former Migori County clerk Caspal Obiero are charged with the murder of Sharon and her unborn baby on September 3, 2018, at Kowade in Rachuonyo, Homa Bay.

The hearing continues today.