New Evidence Emerges as 3 Witnesses Testify in Tob Cohen Murder Trial

New evidence has emerged in the murder trial of Sarah Wairimu Kamotho following the testimony of three prosecution witnesses at the High Court of Kenya at Kibera.

The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) on Monday, September 28, continued presenting its case against Wairimu, who is charged with the murder of her late husband, Dutch businessman Tob Cohen.

In a statement, the ODPP said three witnesses, including two police officers and a civilian, appeared before Lady Justice Diana Kavedza as the prosecution continued presenting evidence concerning the events surrounding Cohen’s disappearance and death.

"The prosecution today presented the 8th, 9th, and 10th prosecution witnesses, including Police Constable Stanley Kanyile, Inspector of Police Joseph Maina, and civilian Shilindwa Shihemi, who testified at the High Court of Kenya at Kibera before Hon. Lady Justice Diana Kavedza," the statement read.

Police Constable Stanley Kanyile testified about a distress call received on July 19, 2019, which prompted him and other officers to visit Cohen’s residence in Spring Valley.

Kanyile told the court that upon arriving at the residence, the officers encountered three men dressed in civilian clothes and Wairimu, who reported that she was in distress.

Inspector of Police Joseph Maina, a former Officer Commanding Station at Parklands Police Station, also testified about a police visit to Cohen’s residence following an assault complaint.

Maina told the court that Cohen informed the officers that his wife had assaulted him and directed them to a room where he said Wairimu had locked herself.

"The officers received no response and could not establish whether she was inside. The team subsequently returned to the station to pursue the procedure of issuing summons. The visit was booked under OB 37/19/7/19, with the return booked under OB 41/19/7/2019," the statement added.

The prosecution also called Shilindwa Shihemi, a former gardener and housekeeper at the couple’s Lower Kabete residence, who testified about events he witnessed while working at the home between 2018 and 2019.

Shihemi recounted a February 2019 incident involving Cohen and Wairimu, during which he said Cohen was bleeding and asked him to photograph his injuries.

"He also testified about his return to the residence on 22 July 2019 and subsequent events surrounding Cohen’s disappearance and death, including learning that Cohen’s body had been found in a septic tank," the statement further read.

The matter is scheduled to continue on September 29, 2026, when the ODPP is expected to present additional witnesses in support of its case.

Elsewhere, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has secured an order allowing the extradition of Kenyan fugitive Sancho Kibutu to the United States, where he is wanted to face sentencing following his conviction in a fatal drunk-driving case.

In a statement on Friday, September 25, the ODPP said Kibutu appeared before Senior Principal Magistrate Teresia Nyangena at the Milimani Law Courts, where he surrendered to the extradition request and indicated his willingness to comply with the orders issued by the court.

"The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has today secured an order for the extradition of a Kenyan fugitive wanted in the United States of America to face sentencing following his conviction over a fatal drunk-driving offence," the statement read.

Kibutu was arrested pursuant to an extradition request made by the Governments of the United States of America and Kenya. 

The proceedings were conducted before the Milimani Law Courts as authorities moved to facilitate his transfer to the US.

"He is expected to be surrendered to the United States to face sentencing following his conviction for Gross Vehicular Manslaughter While Intoxicated, contrary to Section 191.5(a) of the California Penal Code, together with three special allegations," the statement added.

According to the extradition request, Kibutu had been on the run since October 11, 2013, after failing to comply with an order issued by the Superior Court of the State of California, County of Madera.

The California court had required Kibutu to appear for sentencing on October 28, 2013, but he failed to attend, leading to the subsequent extradition process.