Ex-Migori Governor Okoth Obado seeks plea deal in corruption case

Former Migori Governor Okoth Obado, together with 10 individuals and 7 companies, is seeking a prosecutorial deal in a corruption case involving the alleged unlawful acquisition of Ksh. 73 million from the Migori County Government.

The accused, through Obado’s lawyer, appeared before the Milimani Anti- Corruption Court where Principal Magistrate Charles Ondieki was informed that talks are underway between the accused persons, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) and the Ethics and Anti- Corruption Commission(EACC).

According to a statement,  the parties are exploring the possibility of settling the matter through a plea bargaining agreement.

The statement says, a formal written request for a plea agreement was submitted to the ODPP on 25th April 2025.

Further, the ODPP has confirmed that discussions involving all relevant parties have already begun.

These talks are centered around potential restitution, admissions of wrongdoing, and the likelihood of dropping some of the charges.

Among the accused are Okoth Obado, Dan Achola Okoth, Scarlet Susan Okoth, Jerry Zachary Okoth, Evelyne Adthiambo Zachary, Jared Peter Odoyo, Christine Akinyi, Joram Opala, Ochanda Patroba, Penina Auma and Carolyne Anyango. The companies involved include Misoft Limited, Tarchdog Printers Limited, Kajulu Business Limited, Victorious Investments Limited, Deltrack ICT Service Ltd, Swyfcon Engineering Limited and Dolphus Software Limited.

They are facing charges of conflict of interest, money laundering and unlawful acquisition of public property.

The offenses are alleged to have taken place between 29th October 2014 and 18th October 2016, during Obado’s term as county governor.

Following the court appearance, Magistrate Ondieki approved the request for adjournment and directed that the case be mentioned again on 3rd September 2025 to assess the status of the ongoing plea bargain talks.