Inspector Moses Mbwalwe, a senior police official, testified on October 1, 2026, that Sarah Wairimu Cohen, widow of Dutch billionaire Tob Cohen, avoided prosecution for seven months after her husband reported an alleged assault in February 2019. The police obtained an arrest warrant, but Tob Cohen was murdered before it could be executed. Mbwalwe stated that Cohen failed to respond to summonses to provide a statement and fled abroad while also barricading herself in her residence during attempted arrests. The testimony occurred during the murder trial of Sarah Wairimu Cohen, who faces charges for her husband's killing, as reported by the Nation on September 30, 2026.
The case originated when Tob Cohen, a Dutch businessman, filed a report at Muthangari Police Station in February 2019 alleging assault by his wife. Sarah Wairimu Cohen, who had previously been charged with assault, allegedly evaded legal processes by traveling internationally, ignoring court orders, and concealing herself at her Nairobi home. Police confirmed that the arrest warrant remained unexecuted at the time of Tob Cohen's death, which occurred before authorities could apprehend her. The murder trial, presided over by Justice Diana Kavedza, has drawn public attention to the timeline of events leading to the billionaire's killing.
On September 30, 2026, Sarah Wairimu Cohen appeared in court as the murder case progressed. The Appeal Court had previously rejected her bail application, ordering her to remain in custody while awaiting trial. The prosecution's case hinges on the timeline of her evasion and the circumstances surrounding her husband's death. Legal observers note the case highlights challenges in enforcing arrest warrants and addressing domestic violence allegations within high-profile cases. The court's proceedings continue to scrutinize the actions of both the accused and law enforcement authorities.
The case has intensified scrutiny of domestic violence protocols and legal accountability in Kenya. Sarah Wairimu Cohen's evasion of arrest for seven months, as testified by Inspector Mbwalwe, underscores systemic delays in judicial processes. With Tob Cohen's murder still under investigation, the court's rulings will determine the trajectory of the case. The public remains attentive as the trial unfolds, seeking clarity on the circumstances of the billionaire's death and the legal consequences for the accused.