Former Migori Governor Okoth Obado and Co-Accused Forfeit Assets Worth Sh235.6 Million in Corruption Case

Former Migori Governor Okoth Obado and 17 co-accused have surrendered assets worth Sh235.6 million to the State under a plea bargain agreement in a corruption case involving the alleged embezzlement of Sh73.4 million in public funds.

The deal was reached through a plea bargaining process initiated by the accused and formalised in court under Sections 137A to 137O of the Criminal Procedure Code and the Plea Bargaining Rules of 2018. It is part of an alternative dispute resolution (ADR) strategy aimed at asset recovery and restorative justice, as outlined in the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions' (ODPP) current framework.

Obado and his co-accused were charged in 2021 with 25 counts, including conspiracy to commit an economic crime, conflict of interest, money laundering, and unlawful acquisition of public property. The charges followed investigations into the alleged misappropriation of county funds during Obado’s time in office between 2013 and 2017. The inquiry was conducted jointly by the ODPP and the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC).

Following three rounds of negotiations between the prosecution, the EACC, and defence lawyers, the parties agreed to a settlement that required the accused to hand over property valued at more than three times the amount in question. Among the forfeited assets are a Sh40 million residence in Loresho Ridge, a commercial property in Suna East valued at Sh88 million, and two five-storey apartment blocks worth Sh57.6 million. 

Other assets include additional apartments and a maisonette in Greenspan Estate, a residential property in Kamagambo, and two Toyota Land Cruisers. The plea agreement applies to both individuals and corporate entities involved in the case. Those named alongside Obado include family members and associates such as Dan Achola Okoth, Scarlet Susan Okoth, Jerry Zachary Okoth, and Everlyne Adhiambo Zachary. 

Several companies, Misfort Limited, Tarchdog Printers Limited, Kajulu Business Limited, Victorious Investments Limited, Deltrack ICT Services Limited, Swyfcon Engineering Limited, and Dolphus Softwares Limited, are also listed in the settlement. The court will now review the final terms of the agreement.