This archive report was first published on 25 September 2019.
On September 24, 2019, a somber ceremony took place at the Jewish Community Cemetery in Nairobi, where Tob Cohen, a Dutch tycoon, was laid to rest. Cohen's widow, Sarah Wairimu, who stands accused of his murder, made a brief but poignant speech during the emotional send-off.
Wairimu, who was escorted from remand prison by five warders, did not mince her words as she addressed the gathering. "One thing Tob taught me is never to take no for an answer," she said, echoing her husband's spirit. "Even in this, I am going to fight. And even as we stand here, many of you, the ones who are responsible for Tob's death in sheep's clothing, your days are also numbered," she declared.
Wairimu's words were met with a mixture of emotions from the crowd, with some onlookers shouting her name in support. The ceremony, which was initially intended to be a private affair, turned out to be a public spectacle, with dozens of onlookers from nearby garages chanting Wairimu's name.
As the burial ceremony progressed, Wairimu was seen shoveling soil into Cohen's grave, a poignant moment in the emotional farewell. The ceremony was conducted in Hebrew by ten priests, in line with Jewish traditions, and was attended by Cohen's brother, Bernard, and other friends and family members.
Among the notable attendees were President Uhuru Kenyatta's uncle, Ngengi Muigai, and former Gatundu North Member of Parliament, Patrick Muiruri. Former Uchumi Chief Executive Officer, Jonathan Ciano, also paid his respects, saying, "I have paid my last respect to my good friend."
The burial was scheduled for Monday but was pushed to Tuesday due to the unavailability of the required 10 priests. Only eight priests were available on Monday, and the delay was necessary to ensure the ceremony was conducted in accordance with Jewish traditions.
