Kenya High Court: Tob Cohen Murder Trial Hears Sarah Wairimu Testimony on Fears

• Former MP Patrick Muiruri testified that Tob Cohen feared for his life and implicated Sarah Wairimu if he were found dead.
• Cohen had confided in Muiruri about marital difficulties and plans to divorce Wairimu due to alleged theft and financial issues.
• A law firm clerk, Mary Mutisya, testified that Wairimu sought property record searches and requested the withdrawal of a caveat on Cohen's property.
• Government analyst John Mungai presented physical exhibits, including clothing and a yellow bag that covered Cohen's body when found in a water tank.
• The high-profile murder trial, presided over by Lady Justice Diana Rachel Kavedza, is set to resume on October 14, 2026.

According to Muiruri, Cohen expressed profound fears for his safety, explicitly stating, "If anything bad happens to me, or I am found dead somewhere, tell them it is Sarah."

The High Court in Kenya recently heard compelling testimony from former Member of Parliament Patrick Muiruri, a long-time friend of the late businessman Tob Cohen. Muiruri, who had known Cohen for three decades, recounted a chilling conversation that took place just days before Cohen's disappearance and subsequent death. According to Muiruri, Cohen expressed profound fears for his safety, explicitly stating, "If anything bad happens to me, or I am found dead somewhere, tell them it is Sarah."

This dramatic revelation was presented on Monday during the ongoing murder trial of Sarah Wairimu Kamotho, who stands accused of her husband's murder. The prosecution, spearheaded by Senior Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions Vincent Monda, is meticulously building its case against Wairimu, presenting a series of witnesses to establish the circumstances surrounding Cohen's demise. Muiruri's account painted a picture of a troubled marriage, with Cohen confiding in him about significant marital difficulties and his intention to divorce Wairimu.

Cohen reportedly disclosed his divorce plans on July 15, 2019, citing allegations of stolen property documents, the misappropriation of company funds, and a long history of marital discord. Just four days later, on July 19, 2019, Cohen made what would be his final call to Muiruri, expressing apprehension about returning to his matrimonial home. Muiruri testified that this conversation was their last, and Cohen's ominous warning left him deeply concerned for his friend's well-being. Further illustrating the marital strife, Muiruri recalled a public altercation between Cohen and Wairimu at a wedding in December 2018, during which Wairimu allegedly declared to her husband, "This is not your house."

Beyond Muiruri's impactful testimony, the court also received evidence from two other witnesses, each contributing to the prosecution's narrative. Mary Mutisya, a clerk at a law firm, testified about her interactions with Sarah Wairimu. Mutisya informed the court that Wairimu had requested her assistance in conducting a search of land records pertaining to Cohen's property. Subsequently, Wairimu sent Mutisya payments via M-Pesa and instructed her to pursue an application aimed at withdrawing a caveat that had been registered against the property. Mutisya later learned of Cohen's disappearance through media reports, connecting these earlier requests to the unfolding events.

The third witness presented by the prosecution was government analyst John Mungai. Mungai introduced several key exhibits into evidence, which included items allegedly belonging to Cohen. Among these were articles of clothing, a curtain recovered from inside the water tank where Cohen's body was ultimately discovered, a red robe, and a yellow polythene bag. The court was informed that this yellow bag had been used to cover Cohen's body when it was retrieved from his compound. These exhibits are crucial components of the material being presented as the court meticulously examines the circumstances surrounding the businessman's death, which occurred after he was reported missing and his body was found in a water tank at his Nairobi residence in September 2019.

The high-profile murder trial, presided over by Lady Justice Diana Rachel Kavedza, continues to draw significant attention as the prosecution, led by Vincent Monda, systematically presents its case. The proceedings offer crucial insights into the evidentiary standards and the evaluation of witness testimony within the Kenyan legal system, particularly in complex criminal cases involving circumstantial evidence and pre-death statements. Legal professionals and compliance officers are closely monitoring this case for its implications on how such evidence is weighed and interpreted.

The detailed testimonies from individuals like Patrick Muiruri, Mary Mutisya, and John Mungai underscore the prosecution's strategy to build a comprehensive picture of the events leading to Tob Cohen's death. The next hearing in this protracted legal battle is scheduled for October 14, 2026, a date that highlights the extensive nature of the judicial process involved in such serious criminal matters. As the trial progresses, it will continue to shed light on procedural developments and the challenges inherent in prosecuting high-stakes murder cases.

Lawyers and compliance officers should monitor this high-profile murder trial for insights into evidentiary standards, witness testimony evaluation, and procedural developments in complex criminal cases within the Kenyan legal system, particularly concerning the admissibility and weight of circumstantial evidence and pre-death statements.

Source: Original reporting via Capital FM