Sharon Otieno, the slain pregnant Rongo University student was in a 'relationship' with Migori Governor Okoth Obado. Her mother, Melida Auma Otieno, has said.
She said the governor was also aware of the daughter's pregnancy and antenatal visits.
Sharon was on Wednesday morning found dead in Kodera Forest in Oyugis, Homa Bay County, two days after she went missing after being abducted alongside Barack Oduor.
The 26-year-old first-born in a family four, was a 2nd year student pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Medical Records and Information in Migori County, before meeting her death while seven months pregnant.
The mother who is a primary school teacher at Rabango in Rangwe Constituency, said for the past two weeks, Sharon was living in fear but failed to tell anyone about what she was afraid about.
“Okoth Obado knew how the girl was going for medical checkup. There is evidence in her phone log and texts. The girl’s phone is with the Migori County Commander (Joseph Nthenge),” she told edaily on Wednesday.
She claimed Governor Obado lied to Sharon that he would award her business tenders in the county, a move that saw her (daughter) register a company believing Obado would give her the business deal.
Before going missing, the mother said Sharon had sensed danger and could not walk alone.
"That was why she opted to walk with the journalist, Barack Oduor (NMG journalist), whom they were kidnapped with (on Monday)," narrated the mother.
"Last week, that girl flew to Nairobi. The governor’s Personal Assistant (Michael Oyamo) was the one who booked her the flight.
Other than going to meet the P.A, her journey to the capital city was also business-motivated. She bought clothes there, came back to sell them here (Homa Bay),” the mother, Auma Otieno continued.
On the fateful day (Monday), the mother called Sharon at 7pm to ask why she had not returned home after going to meet Obado's P.A.
"Rongo, where she studies, and Yimbo, where I stay, are not worlds apart. But she told me: ‘I haven’t met the governor’s P.A. I am still waiting for him’. When I called her again at 8pm, her phone was switched off. The governor should be investigated over my daughter’s death.”
However, through Migori County Communication Director, Nicholas Anyuor, Governor Obado dismissed allegations that he orchestrated the abduction of Sharon alongside Nation Media journalist Oduor, who escaped from the moving van which they had been bundled in, sustaining serious injuries.
"The allegations are meant to damage the reputation of Mr Obado. The incident is a political witchhunt and police should be allowed to conduct their investigations with no interruptions," said Anyuor who asked the media to refrain from associating the governor with allegations that he impregnated and abandoned the student.
Police have since arrested the P.A Oyamo and launched investigations into the incident.
Government spokesperson Erick Kiraithe promised government's commitment into ensuring that justice is served following Sharon's killing.