The atmosphere inside the Kibera High Court shifted palpably on Monday as graphic details from the crime scene where Dutch businessman Tob Cohen's body was recovered were laid bare for the first time in open court.
For nearly seven hours, the courtroom was gripped by chilling video footage documenting the painstaking search that ended with the discovery of Cohen's decomposed body in a septic tank at his Kitisuru home in September 2019, two months after he had been reported missing.
The footage, presented by Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) forensic analyst Benutychus Wanjohi, captured a multi-agency team of homicide detectives and government forensic experts breaking open a freshly reinforced septic tank in search of the missing businessman.
Sarah Wairimu Cohen, the widow of Dutch tycoon Tob Cohen, during a past appearance at the Milimani Law Courts in Nairobi.
Photo credit: Dennis Onsongo | Nation Media Group
As the videos played on a large screen mounted inside the courtroom, all eyes remained fixed on the unfolding scenes except those of the accused, Sarah Wairimu Kamotho Cohen.
Seated in the dock, Sarah lowered her head and avoided looking at the screen as investigators recounted the recovery of her late husband's remains.
At several moments, she appeared visibly emotional burying her face in her hands as the grim details emerged.
The courtroom fell into complete silence as forensic officers carefully lifted a black-wrapped parcel from the septic tank.
"The wrapping emerging from the septic tank is the body of Tob Cohen," Mr Wanjohi told the court.
Prosecutors, defence lawyers, journalists, relatives and members of the public watched in disbelief as the recovery operation unfolded frame by frame.
According to Mr Wanjohi, investigators recovered several items believed to be linked to the concealment of the body, including a nylon rope stored inside a carton, a yellow nylon bag bearing a logo, black curtains, a red bathrobe that had wrapped part of the deceased's body and large chunks of freshly mixed concrete consisting of cement, sand and ballast.
The forensic team also recovered decorative shoe-shaped flower planters that had been used to cover parts of the septic tank and surrounding area.
The witness told the court that similarities were observed between the yellow wrapping recovered from the septic tank and another yellow nylon material found elsewhere on the property.
The body itself, the court heard, had been wrapped in black fabric resembling materials recovered inside the high-end residence.
Mr Wanjohi, a forensic expert with 15 years' experience at the DCI laboratory, presented a total of 279 video recordings documenting the extensive search and recovery operation.
The videos showed investigators methodically combing through the expansive compound under the leadership of senior homicide detective Maxwell Otieno.
"I was able to record and document the entire scene. I also recorded the post-mortem exercise," Mr Wanjohi told the court.
He said he had been instructed by Commissioner of Police Joseph Muindi to document every aspect of the investigation because Cohen's disappearance had attracted widespread attention both locally and internationally.
The footage also showed Sarah accompanying investigators as they moved around the property. While police officers were dressed in civilian clothing, government forensic experts wore white laboratory coats as they searched for clues.
The court heard that three employees had previously been instructed to tell anyone inquiring about Cohen that he had travelled to Thailand for medical treatment and would return after two weeks.
The employees also testified that two aggressive guard dogs made it nearly impossible for strangers to access the property unless accompanied by either Cohen or Sarah.
The presentation of the forensic evidence was interrupted only briefly as prosecutors led the witness through the significance of each recovery made at the scene.
Sarah Wairimu Cohen, the widow of Dutch tycoon Tob Cohen at the Milimani High Court Nairobi on October 03, 2019.
Photo credit: File | Nation Nation Media Group
Earlier in the proceedings, former Parklands Police Station OCS Superintendent James Murigu testified that Cohen had repeatedly complained to police that there was a plot to eliminate him.
According to the officer, Cohen had filed assault complaints against Sarah at both Spring Valley and Parklands police stations, alleging that she had physically attacked him.
However, efforts to arrest and prosecute her never materialised.
Superintendent Murigu told the court that the matter had eventually been escalated to the Nairobi Regional Complaints Office after Cohen accused the police of failing to enforce his rights.
"After I was summoned to the Nairobi Regional Complaints Office, I was instructed to take over the case from Spring Valley Police Station. I then directed my officers to trace Sarah, arrest her and take her to court. That was never to be," he testified.
The officer said Cohen later became reluctant to pursue the matter, insisting that Sarah remained his wife despite ongoing divorce proceedings.
According to the testimony, Cohen declined to provide Sarah's contact details and informed police that she had travelled abroad.
On April 17, 2019, he wrote seeking to withdraw the assault complaint.
Months later, on July 22, 2019, Superintendent Murigu received a letter delivered by a courier rider and purportedly authored by Cohen on July 20, indicating he no longer wished to pursue the case.
Shortly afterwards, he received communication from DCI headquarters requesting the entire file and related correspondence after Cohen's disappearance turned into a murder investigation.
As the hearing concluded, Justice Kavedza directed that defence lawyer Senior Counsel Pravin Bowry be escorted by police to visit Cohen's residence and inspect various locations relevant to the case.
The judge also ordered prison authorities and DCI officers to escort Sarah to her bank to enable her access funds for personal expenses.
The hearing was adjourned to July 13, 2026, after one of the lawyers involved in the case indicated that he had a medical appointment.
