The High Court in Kibera has heard that slain Tob Cohen was a heavy drinker whose behaviour became increasingly aggressive when he consumed alcohol.
Testifying before Justice Diana Kavedza on Tuesday, September 29, former Cohen household employee Chrispinus Chehemi described his experiences working at the businessman’s Nairobi residence.
Chrispinus told the court that Cohen could consume an entire bottle of Red Label whisky in one sitting, adding that he was also a chain smoker. According to the witness, Cohen frequently used insulting language towards him, often calling him “stupid” and “foolish.” Chrispinus said he did not take the insults seriously because Cohen occasionally gave him cash gifts of between Sh1,000 and Sh2,000.
The court also heard that Chripinus had noticed what appeared to be cannabis in some of Cohen’s ashtrays. When Justice Kavedza asked whether the substance was bangi, the witness confirmed that it was.
Chripinus further testified that Cohen’s behaviour changed significantly after drinking, citing an incident during a family wedding where he allegedly became aggressive after demanding alcohol. The witness said Sarah Wairimu Cohen had attempted to control her husband’s drinking because she understood how he behaved when intoxicated.
Chripinus also recounted an alleged domestic confrontation in which he heard Cohen shouting, “You’re killing me.” He said he went to investigate and found Cohen crying on the stairs while heavily intoxicated, with Sarah allegedly standing nearby holding a chair above him.
According to Chripinus, he intervened and spoke to Sarah, who listened before he helped Cohen out of the confrontation. He said Cohen later tore Sarah’s dress and verbally abused her. However, defence counsel challenged Chrispinu’s account, pointing out that he had not mentioned Sarah holding a chair in four statements he recorded with the Directorate of Criminal Investigations. Chrispinus said he was unaware why the detail had not appeared in the statements, explaining that as a domestic worker, he had become accustomed to events within the household and did not document every incident.
The witness also told the court about his dismissal from the Cohen household. He said Cohen accused him of disobedience after he refused to break open a safe.
Chrispinus testified that Cohen arrived with two plainclothes police officers, who handcuffed him and took him to Spring Valley Police Station. He said he was booked at about 8pm for allegedly causing a disturbance but was released around 10pm without being charged. Chipinus said Sarah often defended him and that Cohen did not want him around when she was not at home.
Sarah Wairimu Cohen is facing trial over the death of her husband, whose body was discovered in a septic tank at their Nairobi residence in September 2019, about two months after he was reported missing. The trial continues on Wednesday at 10am, with four witnesses expected to testify.
