This archive report was first published on 16 September 2019.
On September 16, 2019, the discovery of Tob Cohen's body in an underground water tank at his home in Nairobi, Kenya, sent shockwaves through the community. Cohen, a 69-year-old Dutch businessman, had been missing for 40 days.
His sister, Gabriele Cohen, spoke to the press about the case, describing Sarah Wairimu Kamotho, the main suspect in her brother's murder, as 'charming' and 'entertaining'. This characterization is starkly different from the reputation Wairimu has earned since Cohen's death.
According to Gabriele, Wairimu's character was not as sinister as it is now perceived. 'She was nice, charming, entertaining,' Gabriele said.
However, Cohen's family had previously expressed concerns about Wairimu's behavior. In a video posted online, Cohen himself accused Wairimu of attacking him, saying 'Sarah did this. Nobody else.' He also described the incident, stating that Wairimu pushed him off a terrace and attacked him with a chair.
The discovery of Cohen's body has raised questions about the validity of the investigations conducted by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations. Wairimu's counsel, Philip Murgor, had previously questioned the investigations, but the discovery of the body has provided a crucial piece of evidence.
For Gabriele, the discovery of her brother's body has brought a sense of closure, but she still hopes to have answers about the circumstances surrounding his death. 'We might have the possibility of a funeral as soon as possible, and then I need to go home….but definitely I will be back,' she stated.
