Graft case against Migori Governor Okoth Obado and others to be heard in Nairobi

The graft case against Migori County Governor Okoth Obado and others will now be heard at the Milimani Law Court in Nairobi.

This is after Justice James Wakiaga on Wednesday dismissed an application by one of the governor’s co-accused persons who sought to have the case transferred and tried in a Migori court.

The court noted that since the application was made by only one person, then it means the other co-accused persons are comfortable with the case being heard in Nairobi.

Governor Obado and 10 other people were on August 27 last year arraigned at the anti-corruption court to face corruption charges amounting to Ksh.73 million.

According to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), the accused included 11 persons and 13 companies that were used in siphoning funds from Migori County coffers.

The Governor was accused of benefiting indirectly from Ksh.73.4 million that was paid to his four children who received payments from companies that traded with the Migori County government between the years 2013 and 2017 when Obado served his first term.

The web of suspected corruption indicated that the governor worked with his friend, Jared Peter Kwaga, then termed by investigators as his proxy, and who also allegedly recruited his family members into the chain.

Obado and his four children were then on August 31, 2020 freed on Ksh.18.25million cash bail after they denied the charges.

The court however directed that Obado be barred from accessing the Migori County office and that he should pick his personal belongings under police escort.