Obado surrenders Ksh.235M assets to resolve graft charges

By Newsflash Repoter

Former Migori Governor Okoth Obado has surrendered property worth Ksh235 million after entering into a plea bargain deal with the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) in a Ksh73.4 million corruption case.

Obado, together with 17 co-accused, was facing trial over the alleged misappropriation of Ksh73.4 million from the County Government of Migori between 2013 and 2017. The group was first charged in 2021 with 25 counts, including conspiracy to commit an economic crime, conflict of interest, money laundering, and unlawful acquisition of public property. The plea bargain now marks a turning point in the protracted case, which has drawn public attention for years.

Properties surrendered in plea deal

According to the ODPP, Obado and his co-accused agreed to forfeit assets worth more than three times the contested amount. Among the surrendered properties are eight parcels of land, two Toyota Land Cruiser vehicles, and several prime real estate investments.

Key assets include a Loresho Ridge House valued at Ksh40 million, Sunrise Centre Commercial Block in Suna East worth Ksh88 million, and two five-storey residential blocks containing 40 units in Suna East valued at Ksh57.6 million. The former governor also gave up two apartments in Greenspan, Nairobi, worth Ksh18 million, a maisonette in the same area valued at Ksh14.5 million, a residential property in Kamagambo valued at Ksh10 million, and two single-storey blocks in Suna East worth Ksh7.7 million.

The ODPP stated that the plea deal followed requests by the accused to resolve the matter through Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), a mechanism recognized under the Constitution and prosecutorial guidelines. After three consultative meetings involving the prosecution, defence teams, and the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), consensus was reached to settle the matter through a formal plea agreement.

Dispute over EACC’s role

However, the deal has sparked a fresh clash between the ODPP and the EACC. During Friday’s hearing, EACC lawyers argued that although they participated in earlier meetings, they were not provided with a draft plea agreement before it was filed in court. The anti-graft body told the court it had not signed off on the deal, raising questions over why it was recorded without its full approval.

The court is now expected to review the plea bargain and determine whether it meets legal requirements under Section 137 of the Criminal Procedure Code. Those charged alongside Obado include members of his family, close associates, and several companies such as Misfort Limited, Victorious Investments Limited, Tarchdog Printers Limited, and Deltrack ICT Services Limited.

The ruling will be closely watched, as it could set a precedent for how corruption cases involving governors and high-ranking officials are resolved through negotiated settlements.