FIDA welcomes Obado conviction, says verdict shows nobody is above the law
By Sharon Atieno, July 23, 2026The Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) has welcomed the conviction of former Migori Governor Okoth Obado and his co-accused in the murder of Sharon Otieno, saying the verdict affirms that nobody is above the law.
Speaking after the verdict on Thursday, July 23, 2026, FIDA Senior Legal Counsel Brenda Yambo said the judgment had restored confidence in the judicial process and brought relief to Sharon’s family after years of waiting for justice.
“We are happy that finally justice has been served and we say nobody is above the law,” Yambo said.
Yambo says justice restores confidence in courts
Yambo said the conclusion of the case demonstrated the importance of free, fair, transparent and independent judicial processes.
“This restores the dignity in terms of the court and the judicial system, in terms of free, fair and transparent and independent processes that have been finalised,” she said.
She said the verdict would allow Sharon’s family to begin processing the outcome of the long legal battle.
“To the family of Sharon, the victims, this has been a long journey. And we have been able to find that justice has come towards the end of it all and we are happy that we can be able to see that the family finally feels that justice has been served to them,” Yambo said.
Sharon’s family lawyer Victor Hezekiah also welcomed the conviction, describing the eight-year wait for justice as gruesome.
“For us, together with the family, we are grateful to the court for the judgment that has been rendered. It has been a gruesome eight years. We are happy with the conviction. We believe that justice has at last been served to Sharon,” Hezekiah said.
FIDA urges support for GBV survivors
Yambo said Sharon’s family should be given time to grieve and process the outcome of the case.
“We give them time so that they can be able to grieve what has just happened and to process,” she said.
She, however, said the verdict should also serve as encouragement to women and girls who have experienced gender-based violence.
“As access to justice still continues for all the women and girls who are undergoing gender-based violence, this is an affirmation that regardless of the gender-based violence that anyone goes through, justice will finally take place,” Yambo said.
FIDA pledges continued support for survivors
The FIDA legal counsel said the organisation would continue supporting survivors throughout their pursuit of justice.
“And this is to inform all the women and children in Kenya that justice is served and we will be able to support them throughout the journey,” she said.
The High Court on Thursday found Obado guilty of Sharon’s murder alongside Michael Oyamo and Caspal Obiero.
Justice Cecilia Githua ruled that the prosecution had established a chain of circumstantial evidence pointing to the guilt of the accused persons.
Yambo said FIDA welcomed the outcome of the judicial process.
“The judicial process took its course. So, for us, we welcome the judgment and we’re happy that we’ve been able to see a positive impact on it,” she said.