Okoth Obado is a Kenyan politician, former teacher, and public administrator who served for two terms as the pioneer Governor of Migori County.
His career has faced public scrutiny during his tenure, with the former governor facing charges of corruption and the alleged involvement in the murder case of a Rongo University Student, Sharon Otieno, in 2018.
Despite the allegations, Obado maintained that he was not involved in the untimely demise of the Rongo University Student.
As of July 23, Criminal Division Judge Lady Justice Cecilia Githua is expected to deliver a judgment on the murder case linked to the former Migori governor.
Early Life and Education
Zachariah Okoth Obado was born and raised in Migori
For his secondary education, he attended St. Joseph’s Rapogi Secondary School in Uriri.
Later, the former governor joined Kenyatta University, earning a Bachelor of Education degree and later obtaining a master’s degree in strategic management.
In his personal life, Obado is married to Helen Obado, and the couple has four children.
Obado began his working life as a teacher under the Teachers Service Commission, teaching in secondary schools.
In his teaching career, Okoth Obado first taught at Terang Boys High School in Kericho before transferring to St. Joseph’s Rapogi Secondary School, where he taught science.
Okoth Obado, however, changed from his teaching profession into business and public administration.
In 2010, he was appointed Chairman of the Kenya Sugar Board.
Okoth Obado’s Political Rise
In the 2013 General Election, Obado contested for the position of Governor of Migori County on a People’s Democratic Party (PDP) ticket, securing victory against ODM candidate Prof. Oyugi Akong’o.
Obado’s election victory was challenged in court, leading to a recount that ultimately confirmed him as the duly elected governor, and he was reinstated on August 23, 2024.
Between 2013 and 2017, Obado served his first term as Migori’s first governor, facing the responsibility of setting up county government institutions from the ground up.
In the 2017 General Election, Obado successfully defended his seat and won a second term, this time under the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party, serving until 2022.
However, his first term was also marked by allegations of corruption and financial mismanagement, including claims of irregular procurement of ambulances amounting to KSh 230 million and expensive furnishing of his residence approximated at around KSh 20 million.
Questions emerged regarding procurement processes, county expenditure and the management of public resources.
Sharon Otieno Murder Case
One of the darkest moments in Obado’s public life occurred in 2018 following the murder of Sharon Otieno, a university student.
Obado was charged in connection with the murder of Sharon Otieno and her unborn child, making him the first serving governor in Kenya to face charges related to a capital offense.
Prosecutors held that the former governor had an intimate relationship with Sharon Otieno and facilitated the events that led to her abduction and killing.
Obado’s personal assistant, Michael Oyamo, was accused of planning and coordinating the abduction and murder alongside Caspal Obiero.
The three were, however, acquitted on a separate charge relating to the death of Sharon.
Justice Cecilia Githua ruled that the prosecution had established a prima facie case against the accused in January 2025.
The High Court scheduled the murder case judgment for May 29, 2026, which was later postponed.
Corruption Charges
In 2021, Obado, his four children, and others were charged over an alleged conspiracy to defraud Migori County of about KSh 505 million through economic crimes, money laundering, and conflict of interest.
In September 2025, the ODPP announced recovery of KSh 235.6 million in assets from Obado and 17 co-accused following a plea bargain.
The High Court (Milimani Anti-Corruption Court) allowed the DPP to withdraw the corruption charges after adopting the plea bargain agreement as a judgment of the court in May 2026.
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