The conviction of former Migori Governor Okoth Obado and his two co-accused has settled who planned Sharon Otieno's murder, but it has not answered one of the biggest questions in the case — the identity of the two men who allegedly raped and killed the university student before disappearing without a trace.
In a judgment delivered on Thursday, High Court judge Cecilia Githua found that Obado, his former personal assistant Michael Oyamo and Caspal Obiero worked together with other people who were never brought before the court to carry out the murder.
"Having carefully appraised the evidence, I find that the prosecution proved beyond reasonable doubt that the accused persons acted jointly with others not before the court in furtherance of a criminal enterprise that resulted in Sharon's death," Justice Githua ruled.
The court concluded that Obado had the motive and financed the murder, while Oyamo organised how the plan would be carried out. Obiero was found to have offered logistical support and helped cover up the crime.
Evidence presented during the trial showed that on the day Sharon was killed, Oyamo invited her and a protected witness, identified only as XYZ, to Graca Hotel. He allegedly promised to give them money so they would stop speaking publicly about Sharon's relationship with Obado and her pregnancy.
After they arrived, Oyamo reportedly told them the hotel was not the right place to hold the meeting or hand over the money. He then instructed Sharon and XYZ to board a waiting taxi.
The taxi was driven by Jackson Gombe, who was first arrested over the murder before later becoming a state witness.
Sharon and XYZ took the back seat before two unidentified men entered the vehicle and sat on either side of them.
As they travelled towards Kodera, the two men questioned Sharon about her affair with Obado while also confronting XYZ over his efforts to follow the story.
Court evidence showed Sharon burst into tears during the journey, but the men assured her they were taking her to meet the "governor."
One of the attackers later turned on XYZ and allegedly began strangling him. During the struggle, XYZ managed to force open the car door and jumped from the moving vehicle.
He escaped to a nearby homestead after one of the attackers briefly chased him before abandoning the pursuit.
According to Gombe's testimony, the journey continued into a forest where he was ordered to stop the vehicle and switch off the headlights.
The two men then led Sharon into the bushes, where they allegedly raped and murdered her.
Investigators later recovered used condoms, a sachet of illicit brew, together with Sharon's shoes and clothing from the scene.
Her body was discovered lying naked in a pool of blood with seven stab wounds, including one that pierced her abdomen.
Gombe told the court that about 20 minutes later, the two men returned and claimed they had taken Sharon to the "governor" before they drove away towards Uriri.
"It is clear from the evidence that Sharon died as a result of multiple and severe injuries targeted at her vital organs. The pathologist concluded that she died from severe haemorrhage. The prosecution has proved that her death was not accidental," Justice Githua said.
Sharon was 26 years old, a second-year diploma student pursuing public health at Rongo University. She was 28 weeks pregnant when she was murdered.