Justice Jessie Lessit on Wednesday granted Migori Governor Okoth Obado’s bail application, but on a number of tough conditions.
Among these is a directive that he deposits all his travelling documents in court, a move aimed at curtailing his travels and retaining him in the nation.
The embattled county chief is as well not allowed to move 20 kilometers out of the county, including travelling to the neighboring Homabay County.
These, according to the court, are in a bid to prevent any interference with the family of slain Rongo University Sharon Otieno.
The family which has repeatedly called for the continued detention of the Governor lives in Magare Village, Homabay County, hence the court’s directive to prevent any contact.
Further, he is to report to the Deputy Registrar once a month, and not to address the issue during political gatherings, failure to which his bail will be cancelled and re-nabbed.
Obado was arrested mid-September in line with the murder, after he openly admitted to having been in a romantic relationship with the murdered second year Medical Records student and fathered her unborn child.
The conditions have partially taken away his freedoms, meaning that he still remains under the court's watch and cannot freely conduct his operations as was the case before his arrest.
He will equally find it hard fully engaging in political activities now that he has to carefully choose what and what not to discuss with his allies and supporters.
The pre-trial conference was set for February 14, 2019, and its hearing set for May 6-17, 2019.
Obado’s associates Caspal Obiero and Michael Oyamo will, however, remain in detention after their bail application was denied.