Michael Oyamo, the former personal assistant to ex-Migori Governor Okoth Obado, has denied allegations that he was in the same vehicle with university student Sharon Otieno and a journalist on the day she was murdered.
Testifying during a defence hearing at the Milimani High Court, Oyamo stated that on September 3, 2018, following a meeting to discuss issues related to Sharon’s welfare money, he escorted Sharon and the journalist to the parking lot of Gracia Hotel. He told the court that a black Toyota Wish was parked at the exit gate, which the two were to use to travel to Homa Bay.
According to his account, the journalist opened the rear door of the car and entered. Before Sharon could get in, Oyamo said he handed her Ksh50,000, which was the remaining balance of the welfare money, and then she entered the vehicle. He maintained that he did not enter the car and that the two proceeded to Homa Bay without him.
After seeing them off, Oyamo said he turned to the hotel watchman and inquired about transport options to Migori. He claimed the watchman informed him that no taxis were available at the time but arranged for a motorcycle rider to take him to Rongo. From there, Oyamo said he found a taxi that took him to Migori, where he was to prepare for a trip to Rwanda scheduled for the following day with the Governor.
Upon arriving in Migori, Oyamo said he stopped by the Governor’s official residence to collect some items required for the trip. He later spent the night at his own home in preparation for the journey.
During cross-examination by his lawyer, Oyamo explained that he did not board the vehicle with Sharon and the journalist because they were headed to Homa Bay, while he was going to Migori, which are two different directions.
Oyamo also disputed testimony given by the journalist, who claimed that Oyamo told them to board the black vehicle because it belonged to him and that he also occupied the front passenger seat during the ride. Oyamo firmly denied this account, maintaining that he never entered the vehicle and only facilitated their departure from the hotel.
In addition to contradicting the journalist’s testimony, Oyamo also dismissed a claim by prosecution witness Jackson Gombe. Gombe had testified that he saw Oyamo at the home of Olivia Oloo on the day of Sharon’s disappearance. Olivia is the wife of Casper Ojwang Obiero, the third accused in the case.
Oyamo rejected this statement, asserting that he had been at the Governor’s official residence in Rapogi, located in Uriri Sub-County, during the morning hours of September 3, 2018. He insisted he had no interaction with Olivia Oloo or any of the other accused persons that day.
The hearing, which is part of the ongoing murder trial of Sharon Otieno, was adjourned and scheduled to continue on Friday, May 22, 2025, at 9:00 AM.
