Sarah Wairimu Cohen, who has been charged with the murder of her late husband, Tob Cohen, has been denied bail pending the testimony of two witnesses who claim she threatened them.
In her ruling, Justice Diana Kavedza stated that she was convinced beyond any reasonable doubt that the allegations made by the two witnesses could not be taken lightly.
The judge further ruled that, in light of these alleged threats, Sarah would remain in prison custody until the witnesses testify in court, after which the court would reconsider her bail and bond application.
Sarah has been charged with one count of murder, with the prosecution alleging that on the night of July 19 and 20, 2019, she, jointly with others not before the court, murdered Tob Cohen.
According to police, at the time of the murder, Sarah was cohabiting with the deceased Cohen, a Dutch national, at their residence in Farasi Lane, Lower Kabete, Nairobi.
Police told the court that the Netherlands Embassy had contacted Sarah on July 25, 2019, to inquire about Cohen’s whereabouts. However, she allegedly informed the embassy that Cohen had left Kenya for Thailand on July 20, 2019.
This information was later disproved when the Kenya Immigration Department confirmed that Cohen had not traveled outside Kenya on the stated date.
Police further allege that following Cohen’s murder, Sarah instructed her workers to lie about key details, thereby intimidating crucial prosecution witnesses.
Sarah is also said to have filed a missing person report at Spring Valley Police Station after being informed of the inquiry into Cohen’s disappearance, under OB number 17/06/08/2019.
Tob Cohen’s body was later discovered in an underground water tank at his residence.
Sarah was charged with his murder at Milimani High Court, but on November 30, 2022, the prosecution sought to terminate the case pending further investigations.
The case was subsequently registered as an inquest in 2023. On October 2, 2024, the Kibera High Court was informed that the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) had obtained new compelling evidence, prompting a review of the case. In January 2025, Sarah Wairimu Kamotho was formally charged with Cohen’s murder.
The case is set to proceed virtually on February 26, 2025.
