The murder trial against Sarah Wairimu Kamotho over the killing of her late husband, Tob Cohen, continued before Lady Justice Diana Kavedza, with the prosecution presenting four additional witnesses.
Among those who testified was the 17th prosecution witness, Haston Kombe, a musician and band owner at Plums Hotel. He told the court that he saw Cohen at the hotel on 19 July 2019, where he joined the evening’s entertainment before leaving the premises. Kombe recalled Cohen joining the band on stage and repeatedly singing a song titled “Love Gone Sour,” which he said depicted a relationship that had deteriorated. He later learnt through media reports that Cohen had been reported missing.
Samuel Murathimi, then Golf Operations Manager at Muthaiga Golf Club, testified and presented records relating to Cohen’s visit to the club on 19 July 2019. The records were produced as documentary evidence in the prosecution’s case.
Sergeant Mbalwe of Parklands Police Station also testified about a previous assault complaint made by Cohen against his wife. He told the court that Cohen reported the alleged assault on 13 February 2019 and initially said he did not want his wife arrested, but later sought her arrest. The officer further testified that on 19 July 2019, Cohen contacted him and reported that his wife was at their residence, requesting police intervention. The matter was escalated to his superiors, who dispatched officers to the residence. According to Mbalwe, the arrest became difficult after the suspect locked herself inside the house.
Former government analyst and forensic controller John Mungai also testified about the analysis of various exhibits recovered during the investigation, including samples collected from the residence, vehicles, bedrooms and the water tank. The court heard that DNA profiles generated from some of the exhibits were attributed to unknown male and female sources. Mungai said the profile obtained from the steering wheel of motor vehicle KZQ 947 was that of an unknown male.
He further testified that DNA profiles obtained from Cohen’s cartilage and nail samples were consistent with those of a biological sibling of Gabriella Hannah Cohen and Bernard Cohen. Other exhibits produced mixed profiles, while some did not generate DNA profiles.
The trial was adjourned to 12 and 14 October 2026, when seven and five witnesses are expected to testify, respectively.
