NAIROBI, Kenya – For the second day, the late Dutch businessman Tob Cohen’s Kitisuru home was transformed into a courtroom, as two more witnesses took the stand in the high-profile murder case.
A scene-of-crime officer told the court that the crime scene had been interfered with—just weeks after the property was handed over to the main suspect, Cohen’s widow, Sarah Wairimu.
The court has since revoked the handover order following the alleged tampering.
Wairimu, who has been in custody since January, was also denied bond, with the court citing claims she intimidated a police officer during the ongoing trial.
So far, three witnesses have testified since Thursday, including retired scene-of-crime police officer Frank Anunda.
He led the court through the property and gave a chilling account of how Cohen’s body was discovered in September 2019—stuffed inside a cemented underground water tank hidden beneath branches and discarded furniture.
“We saw something under a heap. After removing it, we uncovered part of the water tank,” Anunda testified, adding that the tank’s cover had been sealed with cement.
Inside, investigators found signs of clear interference with the water system, designed to prevent the tank from filling.
Cohen’s body was discovered wrapped in plastic sheets, with his hands and feet tightly bound.
Anunda described how another screen-like material had been used to cover his eyes.
The witness also testified that changes had been made to the property since 2019, including a new fence and other additions not present at the time of the murder.
“This place was not looking like this,” he said. “It seems like they wanted to plant some things.”
Justice Diana Mochache ordered that the property be placed under the custody of the OCS Spring Valley Police Station, barring access without express court approval.
On the issue of bond, the judge ruled that Wairimu must first show remorse and file an affidavit committing not to interfere with witnesses.
This followed testimony that she had allegedly intimidated a police officer on three separate occasions.
The prosecution has lined up 78 witnesses as it seeks to secure a conviction in the murder of the Dutch tycoon.
