Eight years after the brutal killing of Rongo University student Sharon Otieno, her mother, Melida Auma, has opened up about a deeply personal chapter of her daughter’s life, revealing for the first time that Sharon was a mother of three before her tragic death in 2018.
Melida made the emotional revelation on Saturday, July 25, 2026, during a thanksgiving prayer service organised by the family to mark the conclusion of the long and painful legal battle over Sharon’s murder. The gathering was not only a moment of reflection but also one of remembrance for a daughter whose life was cut short under heartbreaking circumstances.
Speaking before relatives, friends and supporters, Melida disclosed that Sharon, who was just 26 years old when she was murdered, had already become a mother to three young children. She also recalled that her daughter was expecting another child at the time of her death—a pregnancy linked to former Migori Governor Okoth Obado. That unborn child never had the chance to enter the world after Sharon’s life was violently taken.
Melida revealed that Sharon’s eldest child is now 11 years old and is currently in Grade 6. Her second-born is 10 years old and studying in Grade 4, while the youngest is eight years old and attends Grade 3. She further noted that the three children were fathered by two different men, a detail that had remained unknown to many members of the public.
As she reflected on the years since her daughter’s death, Melida admitted that raising the three children has been far from easy. The responsibility of becoming both grandmother and parent overnight has brought countless emotional, financial and social challenges.
Beyond the burden of raising the children, she revealed that she has also endured relentless criticism on social media. According to Melida, cyberbullies have repeatedly blamed her for Sharon’s choices, accusing her of failing to raise her daughter properly. The hurtful remarks, she said, have added to the pain of losing a child in such a tragic manner.
Despite the hardships, Melida said she refuses to be defeated. She expressed gratitude that she is still alive, healthy and able to care for her grandchildren, whom she now considers her greatest source of strength and hope.
“I am grateful that I am still here,” she said, adding that she will continue standing by her grandchildren regardless of the challenges that come her way.
The thanksgiving service marked more than the end of an eight-year legal journey. For Sharon’s family, it symbolised resilience, faith and the determination to keep moving forward despite a loss that can never truly be erased.
As the children continue to grow, Melida remains committed to ensuring they receive the love, care and guidance their mother would have wanted for them. Her emotional testimony served as a powerful reminder that while court cases may eventually come to an end, the pain carried by families who lose loved ones often lasts a lifetime.
