This archive report was first published on 19 December 2019.
On December 19, 2019, Sarah Wairimu Cohen, the widow of slain Dutch tycoon Tob Cohen, took the Kenya government to court, suing the Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for Sh500 million.
The lawsuit, filed in a Nairobi court, alleges that the DCI and DPP illegally detained her Kitusuru home, which is valued at Sh400 million, after her husband's death.
According to the court documents, Sarah and Tob Cohen jointly owned the property, which was purchased on June 7, 2000, and registered in Tob's name by mutual agreement.
As the prime suspect in her husband's murder, Sarah was arrested and released on Sh2 million cash bail. The court also barred her from accessing the home, which was tagged as a crime scene.
However, Sarah claims that she has spent 12 years in the home and it contains quality items that could be interfered with. She wants proof that the items will remain intact and is demanding that the DCI provide a breakdown of the status of her property.
“Wairimu and Cohen jointly own all that property known as LR No. 2951/449, situated at Farasi Lane, Mugumoini Close in Tower Kabete, Nairobi, which, the property was jointly purchased on or about June 7, 2000 and registered in the deceased’s name, by mutual agreement,” read part of the papers filed in court.
