Tob Cohen murder: Sarah Wairimu denied bond again
Sarah Wairimu, the widow of Tob Cohen, at the Kibera Court in Nairobi on Friday, January 24, 2025.
A judge has declined to free on bond the widow of a Dutch billionaire, Tob Cohen, who is charged with murdering him six years ago.
This is the second time Kibera High Court Judge Diana Kavedza has refused to release Sarah Wairimu, saying “she has not met the legal threshold to be freed on bond.”
Justice Kavedza ordered Wairimu to remain at the Langata Women’s Prison until the defense demonstrates a change of circumstances to warrant a review of the bail decision.
The prosecution, led by acting Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions Mr Vincent Monda, had opposed her bond review application, citing her intimidation of prosecution witnesses, being a flight risk, and tampering with the crime scene.
The court found there is a likelihood of witness interference and flight risk, as Sarah had fraudulently obtained a second passport while the first was in police custody.
The court found that there had not been a sufficient change of circumstances to warrant a review of the bail decision.
The court emphasized the importance of protecting witnesses and the integrity of the criminal justice system.
Moreover, the judge allowed a plea to visit the crime scene by the defense team.
The judge directed the prosecution to strictly protect the crime scene and evidence.
Sarah has been charged with the murder of Tob Cohen on July 19, 2019, in the Lower Kabete area within Nairobi County.
In the first bail ruling Justice Kavedza declined to release Sarah Wairimu on bond until key and crucial witnesses who expressed fear for their lives testify against her for the heinous murder of her husband.
The judge said a revisit of her bail plea will be done after testimonies from the witnesses who comprise her workers are tendered in court.
Justice Kavedza said it has been alleged that Sarah had threatened the witnesses.
“After analyzing the submissions presented by the DPP through state counsel Vincent Monda, I find merit in the averments that the witnesses have been threatened and fear for their lives,” Justice Kavedza ruled.
She said the witnesses’ testimony can only be secured if they tender it before the accused can be freed on bond.
Tob Cohens’ body was recovered by police from a septic tank wrapped in a blanket.
Cohen, who hailed from the Netherlands, was a wealthy businessman living in Kenya for at least 30 years, holding various positions, including that of being the CEO of Philips Group of Companies (East Africa)
His lifeless body was found in an underground water tank at his residential home located along Farasi lane in Mugomoini Close after a long period of search by both family members and Kenyan police.