Tob Cohen feared for his life before disappearance, murder trial hears

Testifying under cross-examination in the murder trial of Cohen’s wife, Sarah Wairimu Kamotho, Muiruri said the businessman had confided in him about alleged assaults and threats during their troubled marriage.

File image of the late Tob Cohen (left) and his wife Sarah Wairimu (right). Photo/File.

Former Gatundu North MP Patrick Kariuki Muiruri has told the court that businessman Tob Cohen repeatedly expressed fears for his life in the months before his disappearance in July 2019.

Testifying under cross-examination in the murder trial of Cohen’s wife, Sarah Wairimu Kamotho, Muiruri said the businessman had confided in him about alleged assaults and threats during their troubled marriage.

Wairimu is accused of killing Cohen on July 19, 2019.

Muiruri told the court that Cohen wanted to divorce his wife because he feared for his safety. He also recalled receiving a call from the businessman on the night of July 19, during which Cohen allegedly expressed similar concerns.

According to Muiruri, those conversations led him to suspect that Cohen had been killed when he learnt of his disappearance.

Defence counsel Parvin Bowry challenged that conclusion, questioning whether Muiruri had any information confirming a murder when he reported his concerns.

Muiruri further testified that Cohen had told him to hold Wairimu responsible if he was found dead.

Bowry questioned whether the witness had already formed a conclusion about Wairimu’s responsibility before the circumstances of Cohen’s disappearance had been established.

The defence also challenged Muiruri’s credibility, suggesting that his relationship with Wairimu had influenced his testimony. Bowry questioned whether he harboured hostility towards her and whether he had previously made romantic advances towards her.

The court also heard from advocate Geoffrey Chege Kirundi, who handled Cohen’s property matters.

Kirundi recounted discussions over a proposal to place the couple’s matrimonial home in their joint names, saying Cohen later abandoned the planned transfer.

He testified that Cohen subsequently instructed him to remove Wairimu from his will and name his sister instead.

The court heard that Cohen had also initiated divorce proceedings amid the marital dispute.

Kirundi is expected to continue his testimony on Tuesday.