Former housekeeper Chrispinus Shihemi testifies at the Nairobi High Court regarding the alleged 2019 assault of Tob Cohen by his wife, Sarah Wairimu. (Photo: NEWS)
The murder trial of Dutch businessman Tob Cohen took a dramatic turn as a former housekeeper recounted an alleged violent confrontation involving Cohen and his wife, Sarah Wairimu. Testifying before High Court Judge Diana Kavedza, Chrispinus Shihemi described incidents he said he witnessed while working at the couple’s Nairobi home. His testimony offered the court fresh details about tensions between the couple before Cohen’s disappearance and death.
Cohen’s Desperate Cries During Alleged Fight
Shihemi told the court that he heard Cohen repeatedly shouting, “You are killing me, you are killing me,” during an alleged confrontation on February 8, 2019. He said he rushed outside after hearing the commotion and found Cohen near the staircase, while Wairimu allegedly stood over him holding a plastic chair. Shihemi said Cohen was bleeding from his head and face after the incident.
The witness further told the court that Cohen asked him to photograph his injuries after the confrontation. According to Shihemi, Wairimu instructed him not to take the photographs. He also said Cohen later accused him of failing to intervene during the incident.
Another Alleged Altercation At The Home
Shihemi also described other incidents that he said showed growing tensions between Cohen and Wairimu. He testified that he witnessed physical confrontations and noticed changes inside the household before Cohen disappeared. The witness also told the court about disputes involving property documents kept in a safe at the residence.
According to his testimony, Cohen once instructed him to help open a safe containing property documents. Shihemi said he later informed Wairimu about the incident and claimed she told him Cohen wanted the documents to facilitate a property sale. The witness also described changes involving Cohen’s belongings and the couple’s living arrangements.
Cohen’s Disappearance
Shihemi later returned to the residence in July 2019 after Wairimu allegedly told him that she and Cohen had resolved their differences. He said Wairimu informed him that Cohen had travelled abroad for medical treatment. However, the witness said he later learnt that Cohen was missing and eventually discovered that his body had been found inside a septic tank at the property.
The prosecution has presented the testimony as part of its evidence surrounding the events before and after Cohen’s disappearance. Three prosecution witnesses, including Shihemi and two police officers, testified as the trial continued before Justice Kavedza.
Defence Challenges Witness Account
During cross-examination, the defence challenged parts of Shihemi’s account and questioned why certain details did not appear in statements he previously gave to investigators. The witness maintained his account while explaining that he did not document every incident he witnessed inside the household.
Sarah Wairimu has denied murdering Cohen and remains on trial over his death. Her defence has challenged the prosecution’s evidence and questioned aspects of the witnesses’ accounts. The trial continues, with more prosecution witnesses expected to testify.
