Sarah Wairimu reportedly told detectives investigating the disappearance of her husband, Dutch businessman Tob Cohen, that he had travelled to Thailand while police were searching for him in Nairobi.
According to the Daily Nation, Wairimu gave the explanation during police investigations in 2019, when Cohen, then aged 71, had been reported missing by people close to him.
The claim later became part of the investigation into the businessman’s disappearance, which ended with the discovery of his body at the couple’s Kitisuru residence.
Who Was Tob Cohen? Former Philips East Africa CEO Disappeared in Nairobi
Cohen was a prominent businessman who had lived and worked in Kenya for several decades. He previously served as chief executive of Philips East Africa.
He was reported missing in July 2019 after relatives and associates became concerned when he stopped maintaining regular communication with them.
At the time, Cohen lived with Wairimu in Kitisuru, an affluent neighbourhood in Nairobi. The couple had been married for more than a decade.
His disappearance triggered an investigation by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), with officers examining his movements and the circumstances surrounding his last known whereabouts.
Wairimu Arrested as Detectives Investigated Husband’s Disappearance
In August 2019, Wairimu was taken into custody as detectives continued investigating Cohen’s disappearance.
By then, investigators were still trying to establish what had happened to the businessman and where he could be found.
Her reported account that Cohen had travelled to Thailand was among the information examined during the investigation.
However, the search would eventually lead detectives back to the couple’s Kitisuru home.
Tob Cohen’s Body Discovered Inside Septic Tank at Kitisuru Home
On September 13, 2019, investigators discovered Cohen’s body inside an underground septic tank within the grounds of the couple’s residence.
The discovery brought an end to the search for the missing businessman and transformed the investigation into a murder case.
Wairimu was subsequently charged with his murder. She denied the allegations and pleaded not guilty.
The discovery attracted widespread attention in Kenya, with the circumstances surrounding Cohen’s disappearance and death becoming a major subject of national debate.
What Has Happened in Sarah Wairimu’s Murder Trial?
The murder case has been heard at the High Court in Nairobi, with several witnesses called to testify about the investigation.
Among those who have given evidence are police officers involved in the original disappearance inquiry, Cohen’s relatives and specialists who examined material connected to the case.
The proceedings have taken several years, with adjournments and changes in the judicial bench affecting the pace of the trial.
Wairimu was also held in custody during part of the pre-trial period as preparations for the hearings continued.
Tob Cohen’s Sister Challenges Disputed Will in Estate Battle
Separate legal proceedings have also emerged over Cohen’s estate.
A disputed will presented in connection with the inheritance became the subject of a legal challenge by Cohen’s sister, Gabrielle van Straaten.
According to The Star, an expert who examined the document identified signs of forgery, raising further questions about the management and distribution of the businessman’s estate.
The estate includes the Kitisuru property where Cohen’s body was discovered.
Marriage Disputes and Property Wrangles Emerge in Court Proceedings
Evidence and court filings in the various proceedings have also brought attention to disagreements within the couple’s marriage before Cohen disappeared.
Questions surrounding their relationship, property ownership and inheritance have featured in the legal disputes that followed his death.
Although the murder trial and the estate litigation are separate matters, both are connected to the events surrounding Cohen’s disappearance in July 2019.
The businessman had been a familiar figure in Nairobi’s corporate circles, and his disappearance attracted coverage from Kenyan and international media.
The murder proceedings at the High Court in Nairobi continue, with Wairimu maintaining her plea of not guilty.
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