NAIROBI, Kenya – Negotiations between the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) over a plea bargain deal for former Migori Governor Okoth Obado have collapsed, forcing the Anti-Corruption Court to intervene.
The two agencies were expected to finalize the plea agreement in Obado’s ongoing corruption trial, but talks broke down after they failed to agree on how to interpret the court’s earlier directions.
EACC officials told the court that a meeting convened on October 30 at the DPP’s office, as directed by the court, ended without consensus.
“We raised our reservations regarding the plea agreement before this court. However, we agreed to engage in further negotiations to ensure the agreement is drafted according to the law. Unfortunately, those talks collapsed,” an EACC official told the court.
The commission has now asked the court to determine whether the plea agreement presented by the DPP meets the legal requirements under Kenya’s criminal procedure laws.
Defence lawyers aligned themselves with EACC’s position, confirming that although discussions took place, the parties could not reach common ground.
“I do confirm we met at the DPP’s office on the 30th and support the position presented by Nora. We pray for a ruling or a decision on how parties should proceed,” defence counsel said.
Another lawyer for the accused said the disagreement arose from “different interpretations” of the law governing plea bargaining.
The court has scheduled a hearing for December 8, 2025, to decide the next course of action on the disputed plea bargain application.
