One of the suspects in the Sharon Otieno murder case, firmly denied any involvement in the planning or execution of her killing.
Michael Oyamo testified in court on May 22, regarding his interactions with the late Sharon Otieno and XYZ denying any involvement in their alleged abduction and insisting that the two left him at Gracia Hotel in Rongo on the evening of September 3, 2018.
Oyamo who is a former personal assistant to then governor Okoth Obado stated that he was in Migori Town on that day finalizing preparations for a scheduled official trip to Rwanda.
According to him, the county finance department was scrambling to release travel allowances for the delegation.
“That day the county didn’t have any money, and the finance department was tasked with looking for funds. By late afternoon, they finally got something for us,” Oyamo told the court.
He dismissed the prosecution’s testimony particularly statements made by Prosecution Witness 38 (PW38), as fabricated and misleading.
Oyamo refuted claims that he was picked up from Uriri by Jack Gombe or that he visited Olivia’s house on the morning of September 3, 2018.
“My lady, Jack did not pick me or with any other person on that day,” he told the court, countering PW38’s assertion that he had transported Oyamo to an undisclosed location that day.
Instead, Oyamo narrated a different sequence of events, stating that he woke up at his residence and proceeded to the governor’s home in Migori.
Oyamo said he had agreed to meet Sharon and XYZ to discuss tensions involving their interactions.
He initially proposed Trit House Hotel in Rongo due to its proximity and quality, but upon arrival, Sharon informed him of a venue change.
“I called her when I arrived at Trit House Hotel and she told me she was at another hotel called Gracia Hotel. She said they had resorted to going there because it belonged to one of her relatives,” said Oyamo.
He added that due to urgency and poor roads, he traveled from Migori in a matatu and used a motorbike to reach Gracia Hotel.
At Gracia Hotel, Oyamo said he found Sharon and XYZ seated and drinking wine.
“Only Sharon was drinking. I actually quarreled with XYZ for allowing a pregnant lady to drink,” he testified.
He claimed Sharon expressed a desire to cut ties with both XYZ and another associate, Muller.
“She said she was being held hostage by both of them. She had shared a lot of personal information with XYZ and now wanted him out of her life,” Oyamo said.
Oyamo testified that Sharon proposed to pay XYZ an agreed amount so he would stop contacting her.
“She asked if I had come with anything. I told her I had Sh100,000. She suggested I give her half in XYZ’s presence and the other half separately,” he explained.
He confirmed handing Sharon Sh50,000, comprising Sh10,000 for transport and Sh40,000 as her portion.
“I gave out a Sh1,000 note to the waiter to foot the bill, then we left the hotel,” he said.
Oyamo told the court that upon leaving the hotel, he saw a black Toyota Wish in the parking lot.
“XYZ led us to the vehicle. He got in, Sharon was entering, and I held her hand and gave her the 50k. Then they left,” he recounted.
When asked whether he entered the vehicle as claimed by XYZ, Oyamo denied it.
“That is false. I did not enter the car. I remained at the hotel with the watchman and asked him to help me find a ride back to Rongo town,” he said.
He added that he then took a boda boda to Rongo town and boarded a taxi to Migori, where he went to the governor’s official residence before heading home.
The following day, when a narrative alleging that XYZ had been abducted alongside Sharon began trending online, he immediately turned back from a trip to Nairobi.
“I told the driver to pull over and turn back to Migori. I had my passport, phone, and travel allowance. I decided to return and report to the police,” he testified.
Oyamo went to Uriri Police Station and narrated the events.
“I was taken to the OCPD’s office, and after explaining everything, I was told to step aside. Later, I was booked as a suspect and placed in a cell,” he said.
He also denied claims that he and the third accused had tried to procure false treatment documents from Kisii Teaching and Referral Hospital.
“The police wrote to me on June 13, 2022, requesting original documents including referral and treatment notes. I did not have the documents and I never approached anyone to procure them,” he stated.
He dismissed testimony by prosecution witness PW22 that he had visited the office with the third accused to inquire about creating such documents.
“I did not go to PW22. That is not true,” Oyamo said.
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