Sarah Wairimu Charged with Giving False Information and Swearing False Affidavit

 

By Phanice Rono 

 Sarah Wairimu Kamotho, the widow of slain Dutch businessman Tob Cohen, has been charged with giving false information to police and swearing a false affidavit, adding to her long list of ongoing legal troubles.

Wairimu appeared before Principal Magistrate Zainab Abdul at the Kibera Law Courts on Friday, where she denied the two new charges.

According to the prosecution, on February 20, 2023, at Munyange Police Station in Othaya, Nyeri County, Wairimu falsely reported that her Kenyan passport had been lost. On the same day, she is accused of appearing before a lawyer in Nyeri Town and swearing an affidavit confirming the alleged loss, despite allegedly knowing that the document was not missing.

Prosecutors say the case is separate from the ongoing murder trial of her late husband, Tob Cohen, but claim it demonstrates a “pattern of dishonesty” on her part. Wairimu, who remains in custody at Lang’ata Women’s Prison, has been on trial since 2019 for Cohen’s murder after his body was discovered in a septic tank at their Kitisuru home in Nairobi.

Her defence team has dismissed the new charges as an attempt by the state to frustrate her and weaken her chances of securing bail.

“This is a clear case of persecution disguised as prosecution,” one of her lawyers told the court, urging the judiciary to safeguard her right to a fair trial.

The new development has reignited public debate surrounding the high-profile case. Some Kenyans have condemned Wairimu’s alleged actions, accusing her of misleading authorities, while others have called for restraint and respect for the principle of “innocent until proven guilty.”

Human rights advocates have also urged the media to avoid sensationalism, warning that excessive coverage could influence public opinion and jeopardize the fairness of the trial.

Meanwhile, Cohen’s family has welcomed the new charges, saying they demonstrate progress toward justice. The family has consistently opposed her release on bail, claiming she has previously attempted to interfere with witnesses.

Court documents indicate that more than 70 witnesses are expected to testify in the murder case, which remains ongoing. The new matter will be mentioned later this month to determine the next steps in the proceedings.