The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has directed that Sarah Wairimu be charged with the murder of her husband, Tob Cohen, following new evidence linking her to his 2019 death.
In a statement released on Thursday, January 23, the DPP stated that the fresh charges stem from material evidence recently obtained by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI). The evidence reportedly implicates Wairimu in Cohen’s murder, which occurred on the night of July 19 and 20, 2019, at their home in Lower Kabete.
As a result, the DPP successfully applied for the termination of the ongoing inquest into Cohen’s death, clearing the path for the fresh charges.
“The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions remains steadfast in executing its mandate while upholding public interest, justice, and the prevention of abuse of legal processes,” the DPP stated.
Tob Cohen, a 71-year-old Dutch businessman and former CEO of Philips Electronics East Africa, was reported missing in July 2019. After an intensive two-month search, his body was discovered in September 2019, concealed in a septic tank at his residence.
Initially, Wairimu and businessman Peter Karanja were arrested and charged with Cohen’s murder. However, in November 2022, the DPP withdrew the charges, citing insufficient evidence, and instead launched a public inquest to determine the circumstances surrounding Cohen’s death.
The DPP’s decision to revive the case against Wairimu follows the emergence of what has been described as “overwhelming evidence” directly linking her to the crime. She is expected to be arraigned soon to face the fresh charges.
