Justice Cecilia Githua ruled that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt against Obado, Michael Oyamo and Caspal Obiero. The judge said the evidence presented before the court clearly linked the three men to Sharon's murder.
"It is therefore my finding that the prosecution has proved its case against the first, second and third accused persons beyond reasonable doubt.
I consequently find each accused guilty of the offence of murder. Each accused is accordingly convicted," Justice Githua ruled.
Moments after the judgment was delivered, emotions ran high inside the packed courtroom. A man seated in the public gallery stood up and burst into tears, briefly interrupting the proceedings.
Macalder MCA Felix Okwanyo broke down in tears after Obado was declared guilty of Sharon's murder. Photo: Odhiambo Felix Okwanyo. Source: Facebook
Holding a handkerchief, he wiped away tears while crying openly, leaving many in the courtroom wondering what had caused his emotional reaction. He was later identified as Macalder Member of County Assembly Felix Okwanyo.
The verdict marked the end of one of Kenya's longest and most closely followed murder trials, which began after Sharon's killing in 2018.
In her judgment, Justice Githua found that the three accused acted together in carrying out the crime, with each playing a different role that led to Sharon's death. The court concluded that the prosecution had presented sufficient evidence to secure convictions against all three.
Sharon, who was pregnant at the time, disappeared on September 3, 2018. Her body was discovered a day later in a thicket near Kodera Forest in Homa Bay County alongside the remains of her unborn child.
During the trial, prosecutors called 42 witnesses and relied on phone records, WhatsApp messages, SMS data and witness testimony to build their case.
Following the convictions, the court is expected to set a date for sentencing, bringing the long-running case a step closer to its conclusion.
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