The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) has signaled its intention to withdraw corruption charges against former Migori Governor Okoth Obado, marking a significant turn in a case that has been ongoing for years.
On Monday, the ODPP, working in conjunction with the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), applied for a one-month adjournment before the anti-corruption court to allow for the conclusion of ongoing negotiations. The court was informed that the parties are in advanced stages of plea bargain talks, which could pave the way for an out-of-court settlement.
Obado, alongside four of his children and several associates, had been charged in connection with the alleged embezzlement of Ksh.505 million from the Migori County government through irregular procurement contracts. The charges were part of a larger EACC investigation that initially sought to recover over Ksh.1.9 billion allegedly siphoned from county coffers by Obado and more than 20 co-accused individuals.
As part of the negotiations, Obado and the EACC reached an agreement that would see him surrender properties valued at Ksh.428 million. The assets, believed to have been acquired through proceeds of corruption, form part of the commission’s recovery strategy. However, the EACC has clarified that it has not yet signed the final plea bargain agreement, signaling that discussions are still ongoing.
The matter is scheduled to be mentioned in court on Friday this week, when the parties are expected to provide an update on the progress of the settlement. Should the agreement be finalized, the graft case against Obado and his co-accused could be formally withdrawn.
The development underscores a growing reliance on plea bargains in Kenya’s anti-corruption fight, where high-profile cases have often been bogged down in lengthy trials. Supporters argue that settlements expedite recovery of stolen public assets, while critics contend that they may allow powerful individuals to evade full accountability.
For Obado, who served as Migori governor from 2013 to 2022, the potential withdrawal of charges could provide legal relief after years of battling corruption allegations that have cast a long shadow over his political career.
