The murder trial of Sarah Wairimu, accused of killing her husband Tob Cohen, continued at the High Court in Kenya with four prosecution witnesses testifying. Musician Haston Kombe, owner of the Plums Hotel band, was the 17th prosecution witness. He testified that he saw Cohen at the hotel on July 19, 2019, where he performed with the band. Kombe recalled that Cohen repeatedly sang a song titled "Love Gone Sour".
According to Kombe, Cohen sang the line "You old woman, you treat me so mean; you are the meanest old woman I have ever seen" during his performance. Kombe later learned from media reports that Cohen had been reported missing. Samuel Murathimi, then Golf Operations Manager at Muthaiga Golf Club, also testified and produced records showing that Cohen visited the club on the same day.
The court heard from Sergeant Mbalwe of Parklands Police Station, who testified about an earlier assault complaint Cohen filed against his wife. Mbalwe stated that Cohen reported the alleged assault on February 13, 2019, initially saying he did not want his wife arrested, before later reversing his decision. The officer also testified about Cohen's July 19, 2019, report that his wife had returned to their residence.
Sergeant Mbalwe told the court that authorities registered an assault case at the Kibera Law Courts on July 31, 2019, after which efforts were made to contact Cohen. He confirmed that police records introduced into court formed part of the prosecution's documentary evidence. The trial also heard from John Mungai, a former government analyst and forensic controller.
Mungai analyzed several exhibits recovered during the investigation, including material taken from Cohen's residence, vehicles, bedrooms, and a water tank. He stated that DNA testing on some exhibits produced profiles linked to unidentified sources: one male and one female. The DNA profile from the steering wheel of motor vehicle KZQ 947 matched an unknown male.
The prosecution added that DNA profiles obtained from Cohen's cartilage and nail samples aligned with those of a biological sibling of Gabriella Hannah Cohen and Bernard Cohen. Some exhibits generated mixed DNA profiles, while others produced no usable DNA profile. The trial has been adjourned to October 12 and 14, 2026.
On those dates, seven and five prosecution witnesses are expected to testify, respectively. The case has garnered significant attention in Kenya, with many following the developments. The court is yet to deliver a verdict in the case.
Key points
- Tob Cohen sang "Love Gone Sour" days before his disappearance.
- DNA profiles were found on various exhibits recovered during the investigation.
- The trial has been adjourned to October 12 and 14, 2026.
