Former Migori Governor Obado Acquitted in Sh73.5m Corruption Case

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Former Migori Governor Obado Acquitted in Sh73m Corruption Case 

A Nairobi court has acquitted former Migori Governor Zachary Okoth Obado, his family members and several associated companies in a Sh73.5m 

This is after adopting a plea agreement reached between the defence and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions. 

Delivering the ruling on May 15, 2026, Senior Principal Magistrate Celesa Okore ordered the withdrawal of all charges under Section 137A(1)(b) of the Criminal Procedure Code, formally ending the case that had been in court since 2020.

The court held that the plea agreement met the constitutional requirements on public interest, fair administration of justice and prevention of abuse of court process.

Former Migori Governor Okoth Obado after his case had been withdrawn on May 15,2026/photo/Reporter 

Magistrate Okore noted that the accused persons had already surrendered assets valued at approximately Sh235 million, alongside two motor vehicles, through civil settlement arrangements linked to the case.

The court further observed that the forfeited property achieved the same outcome that criminal forfeiture proceedings would have sought, including recovery of assets suspected to have been acquired through corrupt conduct.

“The civil forfeiture achieved the same goal which would have been achieved by criminal forfeiture,” the court ruled.

Former Governor during his briefing after his graft case had been withdrawn on May 15,2026/photo/Reporter

The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) had opposed the withdrawal of the charges, arguing against the adoption of the plea agreement. 

However, the court dismissed the objections, stating that the commission failed to demonstrate any abuse of prosecutorial powers by the DPP or any action contrary to public interest.

The case had accused Obado, his relatives, associates and several companies of irregular acquisition and laundering of public funds during his tenure as Migori governor.

With the court adopting the plea agreement as its judgment, all charges against the accused persons were formally withdrawn.

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