Slain Rongo University student Sharon Otieno's parents insist that they have moved on, a year after their daughter was brutally murdered.
Douglas Otieno and Melida Auma are preparing for the first anniversary of their daughter, which is three days away and are open to anyone.
In an interview with the Nation, Ms Auma said the family has since forgiven her killers and that they are free to attend the anniversary. However, she maintained that the rule of law shall take course.
“We are preparing for her first anniversary. We welcome everyone and anybody, including those responsible for her death,” Sharon’s parents said at their home in Magare village within the same county.
“The court sessions and media reports constantly remind us of our daughter. And probably that is why healing has become difficult for us. Old wounds are opened and we get into new mourning. It is not easy,” said Ms Auma.
Migori Governor Okoth Obado, his aides Michael Oyamo and Caspal Obiero are facing murder charges and the three have since denied killing the university student.
Before being arrested, Obado admitted having had a relationship with Obado and impregnating her. He however denied killing her.
Ms Auma says she has never visited the final resting place for Sharon Otieno, adding that it keeps reminding her of the past.
On the contrary, Sharon’s father visits the gravesite daily and says he gets satisfaction in just knowing his daughter is sleeping down there peacefully.
“I ensure that I visit this place at least once in a day. It just gives me some peace,” says Mr Otieno as he tends to his daughter’s grave.
He adds: “I did not know that my first born child would go ahead of me. She went first because of her killers. Parents should never bury their children.”