Sarah Wairimu Cohen, the widow of the late businessman Tob Cohen, appeared before the Kibera High Court on Wednesday, where she denied the charge of murder in connection to the death of her husband in 2019. The charge has drawn significant public attention, with the case becoming one of the most high-profile murder investigations in Kenya.
The prosecution presented the case before Justice Diana Kavedza, who was tasked with overseeing the hearing. A crucial part of the court proceedings was the mental assessment report from 2019, which was retrieved from the Mathare Referral Hospital. The report confirmed that Sarah Wairimu was fit to stand trial. This assessment was essential for the court to proceed with the plea-taking process, which had previously been postponed to allow time for the report to be made available.
Wairimu’s plea was formally recorded after the court reviewed the mental health evaluation, and she officially denied the murder charge against her. The charge stems from the tragic death of her husband, Tob Cohen, whose body was discovered in a septic tank at their Lower Kabete home in August 2019. His death was initially ruled suspicious, and after a lengthy investigation, Sarah Wairimu was arrested and charged with the crime.
During the hearing, the prosecution made it clear that they would be opposing Wairimu’s release on bail. They requested additional time to file an affidavit to support their application against bail, citing concerns over the potential risk to the community and the ongoing investigation. In response, the court directed the prosecution to file and serve the necessary affidavit within 24 hours. The defense team was granted 12 hours to respond to the prosecution’s affidavit.
The court has scheduled the bail hearing for Monday at 11 am, where both parties will present their arguments regarding whether Wairimu should be granted bail. Each party was allotted 20 minutes to submit their case during the hearing, indicating the seriousness with which the court is treating the matter.
The case has sparked national debate, with many following the developments closely due to the high-profile nature of the individuals involved. As the legal process unfolds, the court will play a crucial role in ensuring justice is served, while the families involved continue to grapple with the tragic loss. The outcome of the bail hearing next week will likely set the tone for the continued proceedings in the case.
