The murder trial of Sarah Wairimu over the death of her husband, Dutch businessman Tob Cohen, continued before the High Court on Thursday, with four prosecution witnesses giving evidence about his final days, police reports and forensic findings.
Among those who testified was musician and Plums Hotel band owner Haston Kombe, the 17th prosecution witness. Kombe told the court that he saw Cohen at the hotel on July 19, 2019, shortly before the businessman disappeared.
According to Kombe, Cohen joined the evening entertainment and went on stage with the band, where he repeatedly sang a song titled Love Gone Sour.
The witness recalled Cohen singing the line: “You old woman, you treat me so mean; you are the meanest old woman I have ever seen.”
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) said Kombe later learnt through media reports that Cohen had been reported missing.
Samuel Murathimi, who was the Golf Operations Manager at Muthaiga Golf Club at the time, also testified and presented records confirming that Cohen visited the club on July 19, 2019.
The records were admitted as documentary evidence in support of the prosecution’s case.
Police officer recalls Cohen’s assault complaint
Sergeant Mbalwe of Parklands Police Station also testified about an earlier assault complaint made by Cohen against his wife.
Mbalwe told the court that Cohen reported the alleged assault on February 13, 2019, but initially indicated that he did not want his wife arrested before later changing his mind.
The officer further testified that on July 19, 2019, Cohen contacted him and reported that his wife was at their residence, asking for police intervention.
“The matter was escalated to his superiors, who subsequently dispatched officers to the residence. According to the witness, effecting the arrest became difficult after the suspect locked herself inside the house,” the ODPP noted.
Mbalwe also testified about attempts to reach Cohen following the complaint, the registration of an assault case at the Kibera Law Courts on July 31, 2019, and developments after the businessman was reported missing.
He confirmed police records that were subsequently produced as documentary evidence.
Forensic analyst details DNA findings
John Mungai, a former government analyst and forensic controller, was the fourth witness to testify.
Mungai told the court that he analysed several exhibits recovered during investigations, including material collected from Cohen’s residence, vehicles, bedrooms and a water tank.
He said DNA analysis of some of the exhibits generated profiles attributed to unknown male and female sources.
The DNA profile obtained from the steering wheel of motor vehicle KZQ 947, he told the court, belonged to an unknown male.
“The witness 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,” the prosecution added.
Other exhibits produced mixed DNA profiles, while some did not yield any DNA profile.
The trial before Lady Justice Diana Rachel Kavedza was adjourned to October 12 and 14, 2026. Seven prosecution witnesses are expected to testify on October 12, while another five are expected to take the stand on October 14.
