Sarah Wairimu Kamotho, the widow of Dutch billionaire Tob Cohen, was presented before the Kibera Law Court to face fresh murder charges linked to her husband’s 2019 death. Her arrest on Thursday marked a significant development in a case that has seen dramatic twists over the past four years.
Wairimu was detained at Kilimani Police Station after detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations’ (DCI) homicide unit unearthed new evidence allegedly tying her to the murder. Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Renson Ingonga confirmed the fresh charges, stating, “Yes, she will take a murder plea. She was arrested following the discovery of new evidence.”
This comes after former DPP Noordin Haji had withdrawn the charges against Wairimu and her co-accused, Peter Karanja, in November 2022, citing insufficient evidence. At the time, the DPP opted for a public inquest rather than a murder trial, attributing the decision to investigative shortcomings, including the lack of critical evidence such as cell phone data and witness testimonies.
The body of Tob Cohen, a Dutch businessman, was discovered in September 2019 in an underground water tank at his Nairobi home. The prosecution had alleged that Cohen was murdered between July 19 and July 20, 2019. Following the initial arrests of Wairimu and Karanja, the case drew widespread public attention, with Cohen’s family vehemently seeking justice.
In 2022, Wairimu filed an application to discontinue the inquest initiated by the DPP. However, the DPP and Cohen’s family opposed her request, urging the court to conduct a full hearing to uncover the truth behind Cohen’s brutal death. The inquest was seen as a step toward a comprehensive review of the evidence, but the recent developments signal a shift in prosecutorial strategy.
The reinstatement of murder charges suggests that investigators have addressed the earlier gaps in the case. The DPP’s approval of the fresh charges indicates a renewed confidence in the evidence, raising hopes for a resolution in a case that has lingered in legal limbo.
The dramatic turn of events underscores the complexities of the justice system in high-profile cases. As Wairimu faces fresh charges, the focus will be on the nature of the new evidence and its ability to withstand scrutiny in court. For Cohen’s family and the public, the renewed trial may offer another chance to seek justice for the businessman’s untimely death.
