Fresh evidence has emerged in the murder trial of Dutch businessman Tob Cohen, with his longtime lawyer telling the court that the businessman halted plans to transfer his Kitisuru home into joint ownership with his wife before making major changes to his Will.
Geoffrey Chege Kirundi, who represented Cohen for several years, testified that his client had initially instructed him in 2009 to begin the process of transferring the Kitisuru property into joint ownership with his wife, Sarah Cohen.
Kirundi, who appeared as Prosecution Witness 26, told the court that Cohen had acquired the property for KSh1.5 million before developing it into his residence.
According to the advocate, he advised Cohen against the proposed transfer because Sarah was already the sole beneficiary under the businessman’s existing Will.
Despite the advice, Cohen instructed his lawyer to proceed with the transaction. The necessary documents were subsequently prepared to facilitate the transfer.
However, the proposed change in ownership was never completed.
Kirundi told the court that Cohen later instructed him to stop the process, saying he no longer considered the transfer necessary.
As a result, the property remained registered without the proposed joint ownership arrangement.
The court further heard that Cohen later changed his Will, removing Sarah and her daughter as beneficiaries and replacing them with his niece and nephew.
The evidence was presented as the prosecution continued to outline events surrounding Cohen’s personal affairs and the period before his disappearance.
Kirundi also addressed claims about Cohen’s movements after he went missing.
He told the court that Cohen had previously informed him that he had no plans to travel outside the country until October.
The testimony could therefore provide the prosecution with additional context regarding Cohen’s plans, property ownership and changes to his Will before his death.
Cohen disappeared from his Kitisuru home in Nairobi in July 2019. His body was later discovered in an underground water tank at the property.
His widow, Sarah Wairimu, was subsequently charged with his murder alongside Peter Karanja, a businessman who was also accused in connection with the case.
The prosecution has continued calling witnesses and presenting documentary evidence as it seeks to establish what happened to Cohen in the period leading to his disappearance and death.
The defence is expected to challenge the prosecution’s evidence as the trial continues before the High Court in Nairobi.
