Tob Cohen murder trial: Former MP recounts businessman's final phone call, says he feared for his life

Former Gatundu North MP Patrick Kariuki Muiruri has told the High Court in Kibera that the late Dutch businessman Tob Cohen feared for his life during their final phone conversation, claiming he had received death threats from his wife, Sarah Wairimu.

Testifying in the ongoing murder trial against Wairimu, Muiruri recounted a 15-to-20-minute phone conversation with Cohen on the day the businessman is believed to have been killed, saying his longtime friend sounded terrified.

Muiruri, who told the court that he had known Cohen for about 30 years, claimed the businessman had expressed fears over his safety following prolonged marital disputes and alleged violence involving his wife.

"He was scared because of what was happening between him and Sarah and all the violence, and police had failed to arrest Sarah. He told me if anything bad happens to me, that's Sarah," Muiruri testified.

The former legislator further told the court that Cohen had previously confided in him about problems in his marriage, including his intention to divorce Wairimu.

According to Muiruri, Cohen had raised concerns about his property, alleging that his wife had taken title deeds and was planning to establish a hotel in Othaya.

"We were playing golf and Tob told us he was having problems with his wife and that he was divorcing her and that she had stolen title deeds," he told the court.

Muiruri also recounted learning of Cohen's disappearance, saying he became suspicious after reports emerged that the businessman had travelled abroad for medical treatment.

He testified that Wairimu had publicly maintained that her husband was in Bangkok, Thailand, receiving treatment and would return home.

The former MP said he subsequently approached the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), convinced that his friend had been killed.

"I learnt from a friend that he was missing. I went to DCI not to report a missing person but to report murder," he testified.

Cohen's body was discovered on September 13, 2019, in a septic tank at his Kitisuru home in Nairobi, weeks after he had been reported missing.

The prosecution alleges that the businessman was murdered and his body concealed in the septic tank, where it remained for weeks before investigators recovered it.

Meanwhile, former government chemist forensic scientist John Kimani Mungai continued presenting forensic evidence in the case.

The exhibits included clothing Cohen was reportedly wearing around the time of his death and a plastic bag suspected to have been used to cover his body before it was placed in the septic tank.

Wairimu is standing trial over Cohen's murder, with the prosecution continuing to present evidence surrounding the circumstances of his death.

The hearing is scheduled to continue on Wednesday.