Michael Wainaina, a casual labourer who worked as a waiter at an entertainment hotel in 2019, has recounted the events of July 19, 2019, when businessman Tob Cohen visited the establishment for what would later become his last known night out.
Wainaina told the court that Cohen arrived at the hotel at about 12:30 am and was in a joyful mood. He said Cohen was a regular visitor who would typically come to the hotel about three times a week, on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, and enjoyed listening to music.
According to Wainaina, Cohen sat at the counter and ordered whisky, before Margaret Wanjiru, a woman he said regularly waited for Cohen at the hotel, joined him and ordered a Guinness. The witness said Wanjiru later went to the dance floor, while two other women joined Cohen at his table. Cohen ordered drinks for the two women, an incident that Wainaina said angered Wanjiru and led to a confrontation.
The witness told the court that Cohen later approached the DJ and requested the song Country Roads. He danced, took a microphone and continued singing. The witness said he had never seen Cohen request music or behave in that manner during his previous visits. He further testified that Cohen told those around him that he did not want to see Wanjiru again because she had caused drama after seeing Cohen with the two women. He said Wanjiru later caused a disturbance at the gate and fought with a waiter. According to the witness, Cohen eventually left the hotel alone at about 2am.
Wainaina said he never saw Cohen again after that night. About a week later, he learnt through news reports that Cohen had been reported missing and later heard that his body had been discovered in a septic tank. The witness also recalled that Cohen was wearing a light-blue jacket that night. He described Cohen as a humble man who did not engage in fights, adding that although he sometimes arrived at the hotel having taken alcohol, he had never witnessed him get into a physical altercation.
He clarified that the altercation witnessed that night was not between Cohen and Wanjiru, but involved Wanjiru and a waiter, and that Cohen left the hotel without causing any violence.
As the trial continues, the prosecution has lined up four more witness expected to testify tomorrow, October 1, 2026, at the Kibera High Court.
