In the opulent suburb of Spring Valley, Nairobi, the story of Tob Cohen, once a celebrated CEO of Philips Electronics East Africa, has evolved into a gripping saga of murder, mystery, and legal warfare. The tale began with Cohen’s disappearance between July 19 and July 20, 2019, from his Lower Kabete residence, only for his body to be gruesomely discovered in a septic tank at his Kitisuru home, months later.
Cohen’s body was found bound at the legs, hands, and neck, as described by former Director of Criminal Investigations, George Kinoti, who noted, “Cohen was bound on his legs, hands, and neck before he was murdered, and then they hid him in an underground water tank. They took their time.” This chilling detail underscored the brutality of the crime. Shortly after, his wife, Sarah Wairimu, along with businessman Peter Karanja, were arrested. The rapid arrest of Wairimu fueled public speculation and conspiracy theories, with some suggesting that vital information might be withheld by the DCI.
The case took a dramatic turn when DPP Noordin Haji decided to withdraw the initial murder charges against Wairimu and Karanja in December 2022, due to insufficient evidence. However, fresh evidence emerged, leading to Wairimu’s re-arrest in January 2025, as reported by various news outlets. This development came after directives from the new DPP, Renson Ingonga, indicating that further investigations had yielded new insights into Cohen’s death.
The narrative was further complicated by a fierce succession dispute. Two wills appeared, with conflicting claims of authenticity. Sarah Wairimu claimed she held the original will, asserting her right to half of Cohen’s estate based on their marital status and joint property ownership. However, veteran lawyer Chege Kirundi, who drafted another will, argued that his document was the true reflection of Cohen’s last wishes, distributing the estate among Cohen’s siblings and explicitly excluding Wairimu.
Kirundi’s stance was clear when he stated, “The original will of the deceased is in my custody, having been signed by the deceased in my office. I shall continue to hold it until Wairimu has either been convicted or acquitted of the charge of murder against her.” This sparked a legal battle where the court had to intervene by suspending access to the estate until the murder case was resolved.
Wairimu has maintained her innocence, accusing unnamed powerful figures of orchestrating Cohen’s murder to seize his estate. She claimed under oath, “My husband was murdered by people who wanted to grab our Sh500 million matrimonial home in Kitisuru. They had me arrested on August 28, 2020, then colluded with investigators to implicate me after planting his body in a septic tank while I was in custody.”
Philip Murgor, Wairimu’s legal counsel, has been a central figure in this drama. Known for his robust defense strategies, Murgor has not only represented Wairimu in the murder case but also in the estate dispute. Speculations abound regarding Murgor’s relationship with Wairimu, suggesting a deeper personal bond that might influence the legal proceedings. Murgor has been vocal about the mishandling of the case by the authorities, accusing them of contempt for discussing the case in the media against court orders, as seen in his applications to the court.
As of January 2025, the case remains open with the inquest yet to start, promised by the DPP to explore all avenues and contradictions. The public’s fascination with this case is palpable, with social media posts and news articles reflecting a mix of skepticism, intrigue, and calls for justice. The saga of Tob Cohen is a tale of a murder woven with threads of power, wealth, and the relentless quest for truth amidst Kenya’s legal and social tapestry.
This story continues to evolve, with each new development adding layers to what is already one of Kenya’s most bewildering criminal cases.
