The murder trial of Sarah Wairimu Kamotho, accused of killing her husband Tob Cohen, continued at the High Court in Kibera on Monday. Three prosecution witnesses testified before Lady Justice Diana Kavedza. The witnesses were Police Constable Stanley Kanyile, Inspector of Police Joseph Maina, and civilian witness Shilindwa Shihemi. The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions presented the eighth, ninth, and 10th witnesses in the case.
Police Constable Stanley Kanyile testified about a distress call received on July 19, 2019. The call led him and other officers to Cohen's residence in Spring Valley. Upon arrival, they found three men dressed in civilian clothes and Sarah Wairimu, who reported being in distress. Kanyile's testimony provided insight into the initial police response to the incident.
Inspector of Police Joseph Maina, a former officer commanding station at Parklands Police Station, testified about a police visit to Cohen's residence following an assault complaint. Cohen informed police officers that his wife had assaulted him and directed them to a room where he said she had locked herself. However, the officers received no response and were unable to establish whether Wairimu was inside the room.
Shilindwa Shihemi, a former gardener and housekeeper at the couple's Lower Kabete residence, also testified about events he witnessed while working at the home between 2018 and 2019. He recounted an incident in February 2019 involving Cohen and Wairimu, during which Cohen was bleeding and asked Shihemi to photograph his injuries.
Shilindwa Shihemi further testified about his return to the residence on July 22, 2019, and events that followed Cohen's disappearance. He told the court that he later learned that Cohen's body had been found in a septic tank. The prosecution is presenting evidence concerning the circumstances surrounding the events before and after Cohen's disappearance and death.
The prosecution team, led by Senior Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions Sarah Ogweno, alongside Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions Mary Anne Mwangi and Principal Prosecution Counsels Christine Timoi and Peris Maina, is presenting evidence in the case. The case will continue on September 29, 2026, when the prosecution is expected to call additional witnesses.
The trial is being heard at the High Court in Kibera, with Lady Justice Diana Kavedza presiding. The court will consider the testimony of the three witnesses and other evidence presented by the prosecution in determining the outcome of the case.
Key points
- The murder trial of Sarah Wairimu Kamotho continues with three prosecution witnesses testifying before the High Court in Kibera.
- The prosecution presented evidence concerning the circumstances surrounding the events before and after Tob Cohen's disappearance and death.
- The case will continue on September 29, 2026, with additional witnesses expected to be called.
