Migori Governor Okoth Obado Denied Bail, to Spend 10 More Days in Jail

Embattled Migori Governor Okoth Obado will spend more nights in jail after his bail application was denied.

In a ruling on Thursday afternoon, Justice Jessie Lessit ordered Obado be remanded until October 8th as she could not determine his bail application before the prosecution tables all witness statements in court.

On Monday, the court ordered Obado be detained at the Industrial Area Remand Prison pending the determination of his bail application on Thursday afternoon.

The prosecution opposed Obado’s release arguing that he was likely to interfere with and intimidate key witnesses lined up to testify against him in the Rongo University student Sharon Otieno's murder case.

“The release of the accused person on bail pending hearing and determination of the trial is not absolute and is at the discretion of the court,” the prosecution submitted.

The prosecution also noted that deceased's family has received threats believed to be issued by Governor Obado’s co-conspirators and that the three abductors who killed Sharon are still missing and have evidence which links the Obado to the murder.

On the other hand, Obado lawyers urged the court to free their client on bail on grounds that he's innocent unless proven otherwise.

“The applicant has an unqualified constitutional right to be presumed innocent until the contrary is concluded,” said Obado, in the bail application filed by his lawyers.

Obado further stated that his children are schooling and they rely on him for upkeep since he's the sole breadwinner of his family.

“I am the sole bread winner of my family,” Obado added.