Mother of Rongo University Student, Sharon Otieno, who was killed and Migori Governor Okoth Obado implicated in the murder, has come out to reveal why she picked United Democratic Alliance (UDA) over Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) in her political ambition.
Melida Auma joined politics and she is planning to vie for the Homa Bay Town West Ward seat on the UDA ticket, a party associated with Deputy President William Ruto.
In defending her choice, Auma claimed UDA is more democratic and gave her a platform that she could not have gotten had she picked ODM, which is led by Raila Odinga.
She further claimed that she picked UDA because most of the ODM members had made promises to her family before Sharon was buried, but they have never fulfilled them.
She said some ODM lawmakers had, for instance, promised to pay fees for the three children left by Sharon but have never done so.
Additionally, Auma claimed that some ODM leaders even promised to help her with the murder case but they all abandoned her, and she is battling it out in court alone.
"I would have wanted ODM, but it is very difficult to get a ticket there. Furthermore, leaders from ODM who had vowed to stand with us before Sharon’s burial abandoned us immediately we lowered her body into the grave," Auma told journalists.
She added,"these people were only after political mileage. They forgot us. They stopped picking our calls as soon as we interred our daughter's remains."
She decided to take a stab at the MCA seat to help her speak for the voiceless and help her children get a better life.
"I decided to try the MCA seat because I want a better life for my children and grandchildren. It is tough, but I will try," Auma remarked.
Unfortunately for her, she is already having it rough, after experiencing what looked like baptism by fire. Just last week, Auma was among 13 people arrested by police for holding illegal gatherings in Homa Bay.
She was, however, later released on Ksh2000 after spending the whole weekend behind bars.
In regard to Saron's case and whether Obado is associated with Ruto, Auma stated that she will let the court decide and serve justice to the family.
"My stand on the search for justice for my daughter is still on. All suspects should argue their cases in court. My political ambitions and the legal system are two different things," she stated.
Already, six witnesses, among them pathologist Dr Oduor and government analyst Kimani Mungai have given evidence in the case before Justice Cecilia Githua.
The body of the second-year Medical Records and Information student was found dumped in a thicket in Oyugis in Homa Bay in September 2018, a day after she was abducted.
It had seven stab wounds, including two under the left ear, according to chief pathologist Johansen Oduor .
