In courts: Orwoba challenges UDA expulsion as Obado murder trial resumes

Hearing of the murder trial against former Migori Governor Okoth Obado resumes today at the High Court in Nairobi, with his co-accused persons, Michael Oyamo and Caspal Obiero expected to testify.

The case relates to the killing of the then Rongo University student Sharon Otieno in 2018 in Homa Bay County.

Obado, who was then serving as Migori governor, was charged alongside his personal assistant, Michael Oyamo and Caspal Obiero with her murder.

They have all denied the charges.

High Court judge Cecilia Githua last year found all the three with a case to answer and subsequently put them on their defences.

Obado last month defended himself, saying he was never involved in the murder.

“I did not kill Sharon Otieno. I did not conspire with my two co-accused persons or anyone to kill the late Sharon Otieno. I did not procure anybody to kill the late Sharon Otieno,” Obado said in his testimony.

Oyamo and Obiero are expected to give their testimonies before the hearing concludes.

Gakuyo case

At the magistrate’s court, the hearing of a case where televangelist David Ngari alias Gakuyo is charged with Sh1.3 billion fraud also resumes.

Gakuyo was in February 2024 charged with conspiracy to commit a felony and 12 counts of obtaining money by false pretence.

He denied all the charges and was granted Sh100 million bail with an alternative bond of Sh200 million with two contact persons.

Milimani senior principal magistrate Ben Mark Ekhubi had also directed Gakuyo to deposit his passport in court and not interfere with investigations during the pendency of the case.

The charge sheet showed that Gakuyo allegedly conspired to steal Sh1,052,746.094 from Ekeza Sacco members between 2015 and 2018.

Muchai's murder case

At the same time, the hearing of the robbery with violence case against suspects in the murder of former Kabete MP George Muchai resumes at the magistrate court.

Those on trial over his murder are Erick Muyera Isabwa and his six co-accused Raphael Kimani, Mustapha Kimani, Stephen Astiva, Jane Wanjiru, Margaret Njeri, and Simon Wambugu.

The robberies are alleged to have occurred hours before the accused persons allegedly shot and killed Muchai, his driver and two bodyguards in the early hours of February 7, 2015, along Kenyatta Avenue.

Trial magistrate Lucas Onyina will hear the defence testimonies today.

Jematia case

Back in the High Court, Justice Benjamin Musyoki of the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes division will today issue directions in a case where a former Treasury official is accused of accumulating properties through proceeds of crime.

The court in 2023 froze the accounts of Faith Jematia Kiptis with some Sh8 million as part of the probe into her wealth estimated to be around Sh83 million. 

Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission believes Jematia may have acquired prime properties, including an apartment in Syokimau and two plots in Mombasa and Kilifi counties, using the suspected proceeds of corruption.

Orwoba's expulsion

Finally, the High Court will today hear a case filed by nominated Senator Gloria Orwoba challenging her expulsion from the United Democratic Alliance party.

The matter, filed under a certificate of urgency, is coming up for directions this morning.