Former MP Recounts Tob Cohen's Chilling Final Warning Before His Death

Former Gatundu North MP Patrick Muiruri has recounted his final conversation with Dutch businessman Tob Cohen, in which the deceased allegedly expressed fear for his life.

In a statement on Monday, October 12, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) said Cohen had warned that his wife, Sarah Wairimu Kamotho, should be held responsible if anything happened to him.

Muiruri, who described himself as Cohen’s friend of 30 years, told the court that the businessman made the chilling remarks days before he was reported missing and later found dead at his home in Nairobi.

The former MP recounted a December 2018 wedding at which the couple allegedly engaged in a public disagreement, culminating in Wairimu telling her husband, 'this is not your house.'

Muiruri further testified that on July 15, 2019, Cohen disclosed plans to divorce Wairimu, citing alleged theft of property documents, misappropriation of company funds and prolonged marital difficulties.

Four days later, Cohen reportedly contacted Muiruri and expressed fear about returning to his matrimonial home. 

During the conversation, the businessman allegedly made a warning that would become the last exchange between the two friends.

Four days after disclosing his intention to divorce Wairimu, Cohen reportedly called Muiruri and expressed concerns about his safety, telling him what he should communicate to others if anything happened to him.

"If anything bad happens to me, or I am found dead somewhere, tell them it is Sarah," Muiruri told the court while recounting the conversation.

Another witness, Mary Mutisya, a law firm clerk, testified about dealings involving land records connected to Cohen’s property.

Mutisya told the court that Wairimu had requested a search of land records relating to the property. 

She further testified that Wairimu later sent her payments through M-Pesa and asked her to follow up on an application to withdraw a caveat registered against the property.

Mutisya said she later learnt from media reports that Tob Cohen was missing.

The court also heard testimony from John Mungai, a government analyst, who produced exhibits linked to the investigation into Cohen’s death.

Among the exhibits presented were clothing allegedly belonging to Cohen, a curtain recovered from inside the water tank where his body was found, a red robe and a yellow polythene bag that the court heard had covered his body when it was recovered from his compound.

The trial is scheduled to continue on October 14, 2026.

This comes weeks after 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.

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 read.

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 added.