The trial of Sarah Wairimu Kamotho, accused of murdering her husband, Dutch businessman Tob Cohen, resumed on Friday at the couple’s Kitisuru residence in Nairobi. The chilling details of Cohen’s death and the discovery of his body were revisited in court as witnesses testified.
Frank Anunda, a retired officer from the Crime Scene Support Service at the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), provided a detailed account of the gruesome discovery. On September 13, 2019, Anunda was summoned to Cohen’s residence late at night.
After hours of combing through the compound, investigators uncovered a sealed underground water tank. The tank had been cemented shut, raising suspicions. Upon breaking the seal and shining a spotlight inside, they found an object wrapped in black cloth. It turned out to be Cohen’s lifeless body, tied at the legs, hands, and neck—a clear indication of torture before his death.
Anunda meticulously documented the scene with forensic photography. He presented six booklets containing 105 photographic prints as evidence in court, including images of the body’s retrieval and post-mortem examination. The autopsy revealed extensive injuries consistent with severe physical violence, including broken ribs and blunt force trauma to the head. Dental records confirmed Cohen’s identity through a distinctive golden tooth.
The trial also highlighted other crucial evidence collected from Cohen’s residence. Photographs detailed various areas of the home, including bedrooms, bathrooms, and living spaces where biological samples were retrieved. These findings are central to the prosecution’s case against Wairimu.
Justice Diana Kavedza denied Wairimu’s latest bail application, citing her lack of remorse and previous attempts to intimidate witnesses and law enforcement officers. The judge ordered that Cohen’s home remain preserved under police custody for further witness testimonies.
The case has garnered significant public attention due to its complexity and high-profile nature. Cohen was reported missing on July 20, 2019, and his decomposing body was discovered nearly two months later.
The prosecution alleges that Wairimu murdered him on July 19 or 20 at their home in Lower Kabete. Fresh evidence has led to renewed charges against Wairimu after earlier proceedings were dropped in favor of an inquest.
As the trial continues, questions persist about the motive behind Cohen’s murder. Speculation has centered on disputes over his estate, valued at over Sh500 million. The next hearing is scheduled for May 7, 2025.
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