NAIROBI, Kenya — A former housekeeper of slain Dutch businessman Tob Cohen has told the High Court that he heard his employer crying for help during an alleged violent confrontation with his wife, Sarah Wairimu, months before Cohen was found dead.
Chrispinus Chehemi, who worked for the couple first as a gardener and later as a housekeeper, testified before Justice Diana Kavedza that he heard Cohen repeatedly shouting, “You are killing me, you are killing me,” during an incident on February 8, 2019.
Chehemi said he rushed to the scene and found Cohen on the floor near a staircase, while Wairimu was allegedly holding a chair over him.
According to the witness, Cohen was bleeding and later fell against a flower vessel.
Chehemi told the court that Cohen was angry with him for failing to intervene during the confrontation.
“Stupid… You did not help me when Sarah was beating me,” Cohen allegedly told him.
Dispute Over Safe And Property Documents
The court also heard evidence about disagreements between the couple over property documents.
Chehemi testified that Cohen once instructed him to break open a safe at their home. He said he declined, after which Cohen called another man who used a drill to open it.
After the safe was opened, Chehemi said Cohen examined its contents before remarking that he had found what he wanted.
The witness further told the court that Wairimu later said she knew the safe’s combination and alleged that Cohen wanted to obtain land documents to sell property.
The claims formed part of the witness’s account of the deteriorating relationship between the couple before Cohen’s disappearance.
Chehemi also testified that Cohen eventually stopped eating food prepared by Wairimu and began preparing or buying his own meals.
Police Responded To Domestic Disputes
The testimony came as the prosecution presented evidence from police officers who said domestic disputes at the couple’s Spring Valley home had previously attracted police attention.
DCIO Makueni Joseph Maina, who was stationed at Parklands Police Station at the time, told the court that officers went to Cohen’s home on July 19, 2019 after he reported that Wairimu had allegedly assaulted him.
Maina said Wairimu locked herself inside a bedroom and declined to open the door despite officers identifying themselves.
Another officer, PC Stanley Kanyile, testified about a separate distress call at the residence.
Kanyile said officers found Cohen with three men whom he identified as relatives.
“One lady who had locked herself inside the house confirmed to have domestic issues with Cohen. She was communicating through the window,” Kanyile told the court.
Cohen’s Body Found In Water Tank
The evidence presented in court has focused on the couple’s relationship and events preceding Cohen’s disappearance.
Cohen was later found dead inside an underground water tank at his property in Kitisuru.
Wairimu has denied murdering her husband and is facing a murder charge before the High Court.
