Tag: Sarah Wairimu

Court Denies Sarah Wairimu After Finding Out She Obtained A Second Passport

The Kibera High Court has once again denied bail to Sarah Wairimu Kamotho, the woman accused of murdering Dutch businessman Tob Cohen, following revelations that she had fraudulently obtained a second passport while her original travel document remained in police custody.

Lady Justice Diana Mochache delivered the ruling that will keep Wairimu at Langata Women’s Prison until her legal team can demonstrate substantial changes in circumstances that would justify reconsidering the bail decision.

The prosecution team, spearheaded by Acting Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions Vincent Monda, successfully argued against the bail application by presenting evidence of concerning behavior that undermines the judicial process.

Their case centered on three critical issues: alleged intimidation of prosecution witnesses, Wairimu’s classification as a flight risk, and evidence of crime scene tampering.

The discovery of the fraudulent second passport proved particularly damaging to Wairimu’s case.

This revelation directly contradicted earlier assurances about her willingness to remain within the court’s jurisdiction and raised serious questions about her respect for legal processes.

The fact that she managed to obtain alternative travel documentation while under investigation for a capital offense demonstrated both means and intent to potentially flee the country.

Justice Mochache emphasized that the court’s primary responsibility extends beyond the immediate parties to encompass the broader integrity of Kenya’s criminal justice system.

The case has attracted significant public attention, partly due to Cohen’s prominence in Kenya’s business community and the circumstances surrounding his disappearance and death.

The Dutch tycoon’s murder case has exposed complex family dynamics and raised questions about domestic violence in affluent circles.

July 8, 2025
Trial: Chilling Details Emerge in Sarah Wairimu’s Alleged Murder of Tob Cohen

The murder trial of Sarah Wairimu Kamotho, accused of killing her husband, Dutch businessman Tob Cohen, resumed Friday at the High Court in Nairobi, with prosecutors revisiting grim details of the crime scene at the couple’s Kitisuru residence.

Key testimony came from Frank Anunda, a retired officer from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) Crime Scene Support Service.

Anunda recounted the September 13, 2019, discovery of Cohen’s body in a sealed underground water tank on the property.

Investigators, acting on suspicion, broke open the cemented tank and found a black cloth-wrapped bundle inside.

Upon unwrapping it, they uncovered Cohen’s remains—his legs, hands, and neck bound, showing signs of torture prior to death.

Anunda presented forensic evidence, including 105 photographic prints across six booklets, documenting the body’s retrieval and subsequent autopsy.

The post-mortem revealed severe injuries: broken ribs, blunt force trauma to the head, and other wounds consistent with extreme violence.

Dental records, notably Cohen’s distinctive golden tooth, confirmed his identity.

Additional evidence collected from the residence included biological samples from bedrooms, bathrooms, and living areas, all critical to the prosecution’s case.

Justice Diana Kavedza denied Wairimu’s latest bail application, citing her “lack of remorse” and alleged attempts to intimidate witnesses and law enforcement. The court also ordered Cohen’s home preserved under police custody for further testimony.

Cohen was reported missing on July 20, 2019; his decomposing body was found nearly two months later.

Prosecutors allege Wairimu murdered him on July 19 or 20 at their Lower Kabete home.

After initial charges were dropped in favor of an inquest, new evidence led to revived charges.

The high-profile case has fueled public speculation, particularly regarding motives tied to Cohen’s Sh500 million estate. The trial adjourned until May 7, 2025.

April 6, 2025
Court Denies Bail to Sarah Wairimu, Key Suspect in Tob Cohen Murder Case; Remanded to Prison

Kibera High Court has denied Sarah Wairimu Cohen bond after the prosecution opposed her release.

Wairimu, the widow of the late Dutch tycoon Tob Cohen will be remanded at Langata women’s prison until two key witnesses testify.

She is alleged to have murdered her husband on the 19th of July 2019 in the Lower Kabete area within Nairobi County.

In a ruling delivered on Tuesday by Hon. Lady Justice Diana Kavedza, the court ruled that the prosecution proved with sufficient evidence the likelihood of witness intimidation and interference.

Justice Kavedza stated that Sarah’s case is of public interest where a life was lost in the most heinous manner. “It is my considered view therefore that the principal of justice and public interest outweigh the accused right to liberty at this stage” ruled justice Kavedza.

She further stated that the court must safeguard the trials integrity’ by protecting witnesses and preventing potential interference.

The Court declined the accused’s application for bail and stated that the accused shall remain in custody until after the two key witnesses have testified.

Wairimu was re-arrested after the DPP, Renson Ingonga, reviewed the murder case and determined that there was sufficient evidence to charge her with murder.

The matter will be mentioned on 26th February 2025 for pre trial directions.

February 18, 2025
Tob Cohen’s Family Want Sarah Wairimu Barred From Accessing Farasi Lane Residence

The family of the late Tob Cohen has requested that Sarah Wairimu be barred from accessing the Farasi Lane residence, where Cohen’s body was discovered.

This request even came as the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) opposed Sarah’s bail application.

In opposing her bail, Advocate Pearlyne Omamo told Justice Diana Kavedza that allowing her to return to the scene would constitute a grave miscarriage of justice, as it is crucial to the current case where material evidence and key testimony are expected to emerge.

“On behalf of the victim’s estate, we submit that the accused presence at the property may interfere with potential evidence that would be furnished to this court by din’t of her living and residing in the home,” she said.

She expressed concern upon learning that, during the administration of the victims estate, Sarah had somehow managed to return to the house where Cohen’s body was discovered.

Justice Stella Mutuku had in 2019 directed that she shouldn’t return to the Farasi lane house.

The office of the Director of Public Prosecutions also opposed her release on bail at this stage citing the presence of two witnesses under protection.

Senior Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions (SADPP) Vincent Monda informed the court that the witnesses are prepared to testify and requested that their identities and voices be concealed during proceedings.

Monda requested that the witnesses’ be concealed and voices be distorted during their testimony.

“These proceedings must take place in camera to protect the witnesses. We request that the court allow them to testify before considering the bail application,” Monda said.

Other reasons advanced to deny her bail were Sarah interfering with witnesses and being a flight risk.

The court heard that some of the witnesses lined up by the Prosecution are Sarah’s and deceased close friends and former workers at their residential home.

“Some of the Prosecution witnesses expressed having been intimidated, threatened and her proxies leading to them being placed under witness protection program,” said Monda.

In response, Sarah’s defense lawyer, Advocate Conrad Maloba, argued that none of the reasons advanced by the Prosecution and family are compelling enough to deny her bail.

“No evidence has been adduced to show she has attempted to circumvent the witnesses under protection program,” he said.

Maloba further pointed out that Sarah has been living in the matrimonial home since 2022 providing ample time for the state to assess it from 2019.

In urging the court to grant her bail, Maloba emphasized that there is no evidence to suggest Sarah may flee.

Justice Diana Kavedza is expected to deliver a ruling on the bail application on February 18.

Tob Cohen hailed from the Kingdom of Netherlands and was a businessman living in Kenya.

His body was found in an underground water tank at his residential home located along Farasi lane in Mugomoini Close.

February 3, 2025
Tob Cohen Death; Sarah Wairimu Charged With Murder

Businesswoman Sarah Wairimu was today charged in connection with the murder of Dutch businessman Tob Cohen in 2019. Wairimu appeared before Kibera High Court Judge Diana Mochache Kadveza, where she denied the charges.

The court heard that Wairimu allegedly committed the offense on the night of July 21-22, 2019, in the Lower Kabete area. She pleaded not guilty, and her lawyers urged the court to grant her lenient bond terms.

Earlier, before her plea, the court dismissed an application by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to detain her further pending additional medical examinations. The court also closed the previously filed case, paving the way for her to take a plea.

**Court’s Ruling on Mental Assessment**

Justice Kadveza addressed the DPP’s application regarding a mental assessment for Wairimu, stating, “I have considered the application by the DPP on whether the accused person can be subjected to a mental assessment. The practice of subjecting suspects to mental tests is guided by the law. Based on previous medical examinations that found the accused person fit to stand trial, I find that there are no compelling reasons to subject her to another mental test. However, this decision may change with circumstances.”

She added, “I have not been persuaded that there is strong evidence to reopen the case, and the application to reopen the case is therefore dismissed. It is noted that at the time the offense was committed in 2019, the Kibera High Court was not in operation. If any plea is to be taken, the Kibera Court is the best place to hear the matter, as the offense was committed in Kabete, which falls within the jurisdiction of this court.”

**Bail Hearing Scheduled**

The prosecution opposed Wairimu’s release on bond, contrary to the defense’s plea. Justice Kadveza directed that the bail hearing proceed on February 3, after all parties file their responses in the matter.

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January 30, 2025
Sarah Cohen Remanded In Lang’ata Prison Pending Ruling On Mental Assessment

Sarah Wairimu Cohen who was arrested yesterday for the murder of her husband Tob Cohen after the DPP ordered for her arrest will remain in custody until Wed next week when the court will rule on whether she will be taken for mental assessment.

Wairimu was arrested on Thursday after the DPP DPP Renson Igonga said they have overwhelming evidence showing that Wairimu murdered Cohen on the night of July 19 and 20, 2019, at Lower Kabete Area, within Nairobi County.

She had been acquitted by court after the former DPP dropped the charges but Ingonga has reopened the case and ordered for her prosecution for the murder of her husband.

Wairimu through her lawyers has opposed a second mental assessment being done on her before taking plea saying the one she took in 2019 will suffice.

The lawyers also questioned Whether prosecution can bring fresh information after a nolle prosecu has been entered .

However, the DPP through state counsel Vincent Monda said she must take the mental assessment before she takes fresh plea.

“There’s no need of subjecting her to another mental assessment,” he argued.

Kibera High court judge Diana Kavenza said that the parties have submitted extensively and she needs time to address all the issues in a detailed ruling.

January 24, 2025
‪Sarah Wairimu Arrested Again To Fave Fresh Charges Over The Murder Of Tob Cohen In 2019‬

Homicide detectives have arrested Sarah Wairimu again for links to the shocking murder of her husband, Tob Cohen, six years ago.

Reports indicate that the Director of Public Prosecutions reviewed the much-publicized case and found new evidence sufficient to charge her.

Wairimu, who was picked up from her home, is currently being held at Kilimani Police Station and is expected to be arraigned in Kibera Law Courts on Friday to face fresh murder charges.

The charges come after a protracted legal battle, culminating in a public inquest filed by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) at the Milimani Law Courts in April 2024.

Wairimu is accused of orchestrating the brutal murder of her husband, Cohen, who went missing in July 2019.

His decomposed body was discovered weeks later in a septic tank at their home.

The disappearance sent shockwaves through the nation, sparking widespread media attention and intense public speculation about the circumstances surrounding his death.

Following the discovery of Cohen’s body, a massive search operation was launched, leading to Wairimu’s arrest along with businessman Peter Karanja.

However, in December 2022, the initial murder charges against Wairimu filed at Milimani High Court were withdrawn due to a lack of sufficient evidence.

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) faced criticism for failing to provide crucial evidence such as cell phone data and witness statements, which led to the delay in the case’s progression.

Sarah Wairimu saying a prayer at late husband’s grave in the past.

Despite the setback, fresh findings from the inquiry have renewed hopes for justice, prompting the DPP to move forward with new charges against Cohen’s widow.

The case has been clouded by controversy from the start. Wairimu, who has consistently maintained her innocence, has also made explosive claims.

She has accused powerful unnamed politicians, allegedly tied to the former government, of being involved in Cohen’s death, suggesting that they were behind a plot to seize her husband’s estate and disinherit her.

She has also alleged that the police were complicit in covering up the true nature of the crime.

Further complicating matters, Senior Assistant Inspector General of Police, John Gachomo, who was part of the DCI at the time, filed an affidavit in the High Court in which he claimed to have been misled into implicating a Court of Appeal Judge in the murder.

Gachomo later disavowed the contents of the affidavit, alleging that he had been manipulated by former DCI boss George Kinoti. This new revelation introduced additional contradictions into the case, prompting the DPP to seek more time to investigate these claims and reassess the charges.

January 23, 2025
Lawyer Peter Wanyama On The Spot For Interfering With Witness In Cohen’s Murder Case

A city lawyer Peter Wanyama acting for Judge Kantai Ole Sankale in court matters is said to be intimidating former Kantai’s driver not to expose him to Authorities.

In affidavit filed in court,Wanyama together with Kantai’s brother have been warning Jackton Lutoma,the former personal driver to the judge against assisting the Directorate of Criminal Investigations(DCI) in the murder cases of Dutch National Tob Cohen case where the judge is seeking to stop his prosecution.

“In the recent past I have been receiving incessant calls from the Advocate representing Kantai one Peter wanyama warning me not to talk to DCI on matters involving judge Sankale,” said Lutoma.

He added that on whatsapp messages, Wanyama has sought that they communicate via his unknown mobile number to avoid instances of their communication being tapped or overheard by curious individual presumably officers from DCI. lutoma has also mentioned Kantai’s brother James Sapuro as another person who has been intimidating him no to honor any summons or invitations from the office of the DCI in fear that he will share his experiences with Sankale.

Judge Sankale.

The driver adds that due to continuous threats and calls from the two, he has not been able to enjoy his peace and quiet during his retirement.

According to him, he has voluntarily shared his personal experiences with Sankale for the period he served as his personal driver to put any doubt to flight and be of help to the course of justice.
Lutoma said that the judge used to have affairs with different married women and in one incident in Migori county, he was almost killed by angry people after he was found at a married woman’s house.

Lutoma was Kantai’s driver for three years, he told the court that during his time with the Judge, he was tasked with picking and dropping female acquittances whom the judge never formally introduced to him.

He said that it was him who rescued Judge Kantai from the angry crowd who wanted to kill him by pretending that he had drove to carwash.

March 2, 2022
Sarah Wairimu In First Round Win For Cohen’s Sh400M Estate

The widow of Dutch businessman Tob Cohen has won the first round court battle to control the multi-million-shilling estate owned by her late husband.

The High Court Judge, Justice Mugure Thande, suspended a grant of letters of the estate administration given to Sarah Wairimu’s brother-in-law, Bernard Cohen, on May 18, 2021, based on Cohen’s last written Will.

He also stopped Bernard and his sister Hannah van Straten from dealing with the estate pending determination of the suit by Wairimu.

“Pending the hearing and determination of the suit, the court issues an order suspending the grant of probate issued to Bernard Cohen on May 18, 2021, and restraining him and the sister from utilizing that grant to deal in any manner with the estate of late Tob Chichou Cohen,” ruled Thande.

The judge also ordered Nairobi-based lawyer Chege Kirundi to surrender in court Cohen’s original written Will.

This is after Wairimu claimed the Will was fake stating that she has the original Will, which the court allowed her to present on February 11 next year.

According to the Will presented to court, Cohen did not leave any of his property and money to his widow.

Cohen gave their Sh400 million matrimonial home, that has been the centre of a dispute, to his sister Gabrielle and her children.

Cohen also willed 50 per cent of his estate to Gabrielle, 25 per cent to her two daughters and another 25 per cent to his elder brother Bernard.

Cohen gave their Sh400 million matrimonial home, that has been the centre of a dispute, to his sister Gabrielle Van Straten and her children.

However, Wairimu opposed the Will by Benard and other family members saying they lied and misled the court by using forged documents.

“The alleged last Will was a forgery since it does not make any provision for me despite being the only surviving widow of the deceased. Their application for the letters of the grant was defective,” she said.

Properties at the centre of the dispute is a Sh400 million property in the leafy suburb of Kitisuru, shares at Tobs Limited, a tour firm Cohen Tours and Sh150 million cash in local and international banks.

December 16, 2021
Tob Cohen’s Family Files Petition With JSC Seeking Removal Of Justice Sankale

The family of the late billionaire businessman Tob Cohen has filed petition before the Judicial Service Commission seeking the removal of Appellate Court Judge Sankale ole Kantai.

The family through Cohen’s sister Gabriel Hannah Van Straten further wants the petition heard expeditiously to ensure the judge is removed or he resigns voluntarily for violation of judicial code of conduct.

Through lawyers Danstan Omari, Cliff Ombetta and Shadrack Wambui, the family told journalist at Milimani law courts that Justice Sankale forged government documents which were used to transfer shares from Silas Itaa to himself and later to Cohen’s widow Sarah Wairimu Kamotho.

At the same time, Wairimu has sought to join a petition filed by Justice Sankale, seeking to bar the police from arresting and charging him over the murder of the tycoon. Wairimu says she has been adversely mentioned in the petition, necessitating her to participate in the proceedings.

In the petition before JSC, Gabriel accuses Justice Sankale of engaging in acts that breach public trust and consistently demeaning the dignity of his office and dishonor to the Nation.

“Clause 7 (14) of the Judicial Code of Conduct and Ethics (Legal Notice No. 132 of 2016) provides that “a judge not practice law by offering legal advice or drafting pleadings for litigants or members of the public, whether for a free or free of charge while the holder of a judicial office.” The petition states.

“I believe the action of the judge to draft the witnesses statement for the accused person, Sarah Wairimu as evidenced by their email correspondence is a breach of the above clause and should occasion the removal of the judge,” she says.

She adds that in further breach of the said Clause and further demonstration of the gross misconduct on the part of the judge, Justice Sankale allegedly admits, in his statement to the DCI, that he hosted his lover, Wairimu, in his official chambers at Nyeri in February or March 2019.

It is alleged that they discussed an active divorce case filed by her late brother at Milimani Law Courts, Divorce case No. 35 of 2019.

She adds that the action is breach of Clause 5(5) that bars the judge from making comments on a matter that is likely to come before him.

Gabriel claims that exactly a week after the heinous murder of her brother, the Judge purchased an air ticket for Wairimu to travel to Kisumu ostensibly to scheme a cover-up of their alleged involvement in the murder.

Wairimu is charged alongside businessman Peter Karanja with the murder of Cohen.
In documents filed before JSC, Gabriel claims that the DCI has since forensically placed the Judge at the scene of murder of her brother.

“The report filed by the DCI clearly demonstrates that the Judge actively participated in the planning and the attempts of cover-up of the murder of my brother,” she states in the petition.

The sister further claims that the Judge facilitated Wairimu to travel from Kisumu airport to Acacia hotel where they stayed by arranging her travel using his official Judiciary vehicle and official driver contrary to the government directives that official government vehicles should be used for official functions only.

She claims that the Judge also embarked on a mission to destroy evidence of their involvement in the murder between July 20 and August 28 via WhatsApp calls, phone calls and meetings planned.

Further, it is her argument she petition pointed out how the judge assisted Wairimu to draft a statement after the death of Cohen and the same statement was forwarded to the DCI and the DPP.

The lawyers argued that the Judge is being protected by the DPP after the DCI recommended that he be charged with the offense of murder.

The family wants JSC and PSC to give timelines and expedite the hearing of two petitions, which seek the removal of DPP and Justice Sankale, respectively, from office.

October 20, 2021
Sarah Cohen Sues And Demands Sh500 Million From DCI And DPP

Sarah Wairimu Cohen, the widow of slain Dutch tycoon late Tob Cohen has sued George Kinoti-led DCI and Noordin Haji’s DPP and demanding Sh500 Million in what she terms as illigal detention of their Kitusuru home.

In the lawsuit, Sarah say her Kitusuru property is estimated to be worth Sh400 million of value and is demanding the State agencies pay Sh500 million for illegally ceasing the property.

The embattled widow want, in her lawsuit, DCI boss George Kinoti be compelled to make an appearance in court to give a break down of the status of her property that was seized as a crime scene after her husband’s death.

In the lawsuit, Sarah says she has spent close to 12 years in her home and it contains quality items that would most likely be interfered with, and as an assurance, she wants proof that the quality of the items would remain intact.

“Wairimu and Cohen jointly own all that property known as LR No. 2951/449, situated at Farasi Lane, Mugumoini Close in Tower Kabete, Nairobi, which, the property was jointly purchased on or about June 7, 2000 and registered in the deceased’s name, by mutual agreement,” read part of the papers filed in court.

Sarah Cohen, the DCI’s main suspect in the murder of Tycoon Tob Cohen, whose body was found in a septic tank at his Kitusuru home, was arrested and later released on Sh2 million cash bail. The court also barred her, since she remained to be the prime suspect, from accessing the home as it was tagged as a crime scene.

The widow has since slammed DCI and Two joirnalist with a contempt of court suit on allegations that they were involved in leaking information relating to the Cohen murder case despite court gag. This comes after the widow sue the Agency demanding access to her basic items like clothes, Alcohol and dogs at her matrimonial home.

DCI Boss George Kinoti has insisted that Sarah Cohen needs to serve him with the contempt papers.

“The prosecution has failed to respond to our application dated November 12, 2019, in which my client is seeking to have her house and other possessions back,” read the petition by Sarah lawyer Philip Murgor.

In her application, Sarah , moreover, wants the state to provide her with her husband’s death certificate as they were legally married at the time of death.

December 19, 2019
DCI Recounts The Murder Of Tycoon Tob Cohen

Today, the body of tycoon Tob Cohen,71, was found in a manhole at his Kitisuru home in Nairobi, DCI George Kinoti has confirmed.

Kinoti said the body was discovered on today, Friday afternoon, a day after the tycoon’s wife Sarah Wairimu was presented in court on a murder charge, but she did not take a plea after the court ordered a mental assessment.

“The body has been found in what we initially thought to be septic tank at his home but we later realized it was an underground water tank,” Kinoti told the source from the scene of crime, where he was accompanied by detectives from the DCI’s Homicide Department.

He told journalists at the scene that, “the body has been positively identified by family members and it is confirmed that it is Cohen, these people are absolutely heartless. Cohen was murdered in his own residence. It is very unfortunate, but we have the suspects in custody.”

Detectives said the body had been blindfolded and wrapped in a blue blanket, with both hands tied, suggesting he may have been tortured to death, according to detectives handling the case.

Kinoti told journalists more suspects will be taken in, “we have two suspects in custody already, and we are looking for more.”

As soon as the body was discovered, the murder suspect Wairimu was taken to the home by police and her lawyer Philip Murgor called, but he has protested, accusing police of fixing his client.

Cohen, a celebrated golf tournament organizer, was reported missing two months ago, and his wife was arrested and detained until Thursday when the prosecution told the court that they had evidence to charge her with the murder.

Cohen is a former Chief Executive Officer of Dutch conglomerate Philips East Africa who has lived in Kenya for many years.

Justice Charles Kariuki directed Wairimu’s state of mind to be examined and the report tabled in court Monday when the case will be mentioned.

Wairimu’s lawyer, Murgor, who was angered by the decision to defer plea yet his client had been in custody for 16 days, was allowed to be present during the examination after he made damning allegations that one of the officers probing the murder is “sexually harassing her”.

Prosecutor Catherine Mwaniki told the court that investigations were still on and there was need to put some witnesses under protection before evidence in their possession can be furnished to the defense team.

An attempt by Murgor to object the mental examination and seek Wairimu’s release on bail pending charges was thwarted after Justice Kariuki told him “I am not here to listen to those applications. Make them on Monday before the head of the criminal division Justice Jessie Lesiit.”

According to a charge sheet filed in court, “Sarah Wairimu Kamotho on the night of 19 and 20 July jointly with others not before court murdered Tob Chichou Cohen.”

When Wairimu was arrested two weeks ago, Kinoti said, “She is the prime suspect and that is why she was arrested.”

“We suspect he may have been killed,” he said.

In previous interrogations with police, Wairimu is reported to have told investigators that Cohen was last seen on July 20, when he left their Kitisuru home in Nairobi, and has never been seen again.

The Daily Nation, quoting a letter she is said to have written to the Dutch Embassy, said she complained that “Tob has depression and mental condition he won’t address for personal reasons and this has (been) and is causing a lot of problems.”

“He has become impossible to live with, even though we try. The family has stepped aside due to the abusive and vindictive nature of his condition,” she wrote, in the letter to the Dutch Embassy that was seen by the daily that first reported the story.

The Dutch embassy in Nairobi never replied to letters from Wairimu.

The couple was involved in a divorce case.

Via Capital FM

September 13, 2019