The murder trial of Sarah Wairimu Kamotho over the death of her husband, Dutch businessman Tob Cohen, continued at the High Court in Kibera, with four prosecution witnesses testifying about Cohen’s movements and interactions shortly before his disappearance.

The hearing, before Justice Diana Kavedza, focused on events of July 19, 2019, with the witnesses providing accounts of Cohen’s movements from his Lower Kabete home to Muthaiga Golf Club and later to Plums Hotel.

The 13th prosecution witness, former Chamber of Commerce chairman Davis Njuguna Kamau, told the court that Sarah had previously discussed marital problems with him and alleged that Cohen was abusive.

Witness accounts of marital issues

Kamau said he and his friend, Peter Karanja, later went to the couple’s Lower Kabete residence after Karanja received a distress call from Sarah.

She had reportedly told them she was facing domestic difficulties and that police officers were at the residence.

The witness said they found four men in civilian clothes at the gate who identified themselves as officers from Spring Valley Police Station.

He further testified that Cohen later emerged from the house and questioned their presence before making a telephone call concerning people he said were claiming to be police officers in his compound. Cohen then drove away.

The prosecution also presented evidence on Cohen’s movements at Muthaiga Golf Club. Denis Gekona, who was the club’s chief security officer at the time, identified records showing Cohen’s presence and activities at the club on July 19, although he said the records did not establish the exact time Cohen left.

Cohen's activities at Muthaiga Golf Club

The court then heard evidence about Cohen’s later visit to Plums Hotel from waiter Michael Wainaina Karuthai, who said he served Cohen that night.

Karuthai testified that Cohen was later joined by Margaret Wanjiru and two other women before leaving the hotel at about 1:30 a.m. He said that was the last time he saw Cohen.

Final moments before Cohen's disappearance

Former Plums Hotel bartender Aggrey Ingano Muhalamu also testified that he served Cohen that night. He told the court that Cohen settled his bill following a disagreement between him and Wanjiru, who, according to the witness, was prevented from leaving with Cohen.

Muhalamu said Cohen left the hotel between about 1:30 a.m. and 2 a.m. and appeared jovial at the time.
The four witnesses have provided the prosecution with evidence concerning Cohen’s movements and interactions in the period immediately before his disappearance.

The hearing continues on Thursday, with the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions expected to call more witnesses.