Sharon Otieno Family Seeks Compensation After Ksh4.7m Spent on Murder Case
The family of the late Sharon Otieno has asked the High Court to consider awarding compensation, saying her murder and the ensuing eight-year court battle have left them emotionally traumatised and financially depleted.
In a victim impact statement included in a probation report filed ahead of sentencing, the family said they had to sell a one-acre parcel of land and a cow to cover costs linked to the murder, the funeral, and the prolonged legal proceedings.
The family told probation officers that they now struggle to meet both the immediate and long-term needs of Sharon’s three children, her aging parents, and her siblings.
The report estimates that the family spent roughly Ksh1.2 million on travel, accommodation, and meals while attending court proceedings in Nairobi over the past seven to eight years.
It also estimates funeral and burial expenses at around Ksh3.5 million.
The family said this financial strain has left many needs unmet, particularly in education, healthcare, food, and housing.
“The victim family prays for compensation,” the report states.
The bereaved family also asked the court to consider orders that would ease the financial difficulties caused by Sharon’s death and the long trial.
On top of the financial toll, the family told probation officers that it endured emotional distress, trauma, psychological suffering, and anxiety for nearly eight years.
The family said it has sought psychological and trauma counselling to help members cope with the loss and begin the healing process.
The report states that Sharon’s death did not only deprive the family of their daughter and sister but also left her three children without their mother. It describes Sharon’s parents and siblings, along with the children, as secondary victims who continue to experience grief, psychological trauma, and economic vulnerability.
The family also complained that its suffering has been intensified by what it described as sustained negative exposure on social media and in mainstream media. It said this affected its dignity and contributed to anxiety.
The family further raised concerns about its safety, especially because some people it linked to the case remain at large. It said it fears possible retaliation or negative reactions following the final judgment.
Regarding reconciliation, the probation report says representatives sought to engage the families of all three accused persons, but the process did not produce the same outcome across the groups.
Representatives from former Migori Governor Zachariah Okoth Obado’s family attended a reconciliation meeting with Sharon’s family on August 10, 2026. During the meeting, Obado’s family acknowledged that he had made commitments to Sharon and said he remained willing to fulfill them. The report adds that honoring those commitments could help meet some of Sharon’s children’s needs.
The report also notes that a separate meeting took place with representatives of the second accused’s family, but it did not lead to an amicable reconciliation or detailed discussions. It further states that the family of the third accused did not initiate any reconciliation efforts.
The probation officer told the court that no sentence could restore Sharon’s life or erase the pain her loved ones suffered. However, the officer urged the court to consider interventions that could stabilize the family and secure the future of the children. The report also says the commitments made during the reconciliation process may help address some of the family’s immediate needs, regardless of the court’s final verdict.
Principal Probation Officer Salome Muthoni recommends that the High Court consider the full range of findings in the report when determining the sentence for Obado and his co-accused. The family is expected to present its sentencing submissions when the matter returns before the High Court on September 16.