Cohen trial: Former employee describes heavy drinking, explosive rows at couple’s home

A former employee of slain Dutch businessman Tob Cohen has described a household marked by frequent arguments, heavy drinking and escalating tensions between Cohen and his wife, Sarah Wairimu.

Chrispinus Chehemi, who worked as a gardener and later as a housekeeper at the couple’s home, gave the account as the High Court continued hearing the murder case against Wairimu.

His testimony before Justice Diana Kavedza on Tuesday focused largely on Cohen’s behaviour and the difficult relationship between the couple in the months before his disappearance.

The evidence is part of the prosecution’s case against Wairimu, who is accused of murdering her husband. She has denied the charge.

Cohen disappeared in July 2019. His body was discovered in a septic tank at his Kitisuru home in September that year.

Former worker describes Cohen’s drinking

During cross-examination by the defence, Chehemi described Cohen as a heavy drinker who could consume a full bottle of spirits on his own.

He told the court that Cohen drank Johnnie Walker Red Label, often with plenty of ice.

Chehemi also described Cohen as a heavy smoker, saying ashtrays were commonly left around the compound.

Asked whether he had seen Cohen use substances other than cigarettes, the witness said he had noticed what appeared to be cannabis in some of the ashtrays.

Chehemi further told the court that Cohen could become verbally aggressive, frequently calling him names such as “stupid” and “foolish”.

The witness said he did not take the insults personally because Cohen sometimes gave him cash gifts of Sh1,000 or Sh2,000.

Wedding incident

Chehemi also recalled an incident during a family wedding which he said showed how Cohen’s behaviour could change after drinking.

He told the court that Cohen initially interacted well with guests but later became aggressive after asking for alcohol.

According to Chehemi, some of the guests had travelled from outside Kenya.

The witness said Wairimu sometimes tried to control her husband's drinking because she knew how he behaved after consuming alcohol.

His account adds to evidence presented in court about tensions within the couple’s marriage before Cohen went missing.

On Monday, police officers also testified about separate incidents involving the couple that had brought them to the attention of police months before Cohen's disappearance.

Witness recalls late-night confrontation

One of the most striking parts of Chehemi’s testimony concerned an alleged confrontation between the couple.

He said he heard Cohen shouting for help and went to investigate.

The witness told the court that he found Cohen near the stairs, apparently intoxicated, while Wairimu was allegedly holding a chair over him.

Chehemi said he intervened and spoke to Wairimu before helping Cohen away from the confrontation.

He further alleged that Cohen later tore Wairimu’s dress and verbally abused her.

However, the defence challenged the reliability of this part of the account, pointing out that Chehemi had given four statements to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations in which he had not mentioned Wairimu holding a chair.

Chehemi told the court he did not know why the detail had not appeared in the earlier statements.

The incident is significant because the court is hearing evidence about the couple’s relationship and events leading up to Cohen’s disappearance. However, the testimony itself does not establish who was responsible for Cohen’s death.

Police had earlier been called to the home

The former employee's account came a day after two police officers testified about earlier disputes involving the couple.

Inspector Joseph Maina, a former officer commanding Parklands Police Station, told the court that police had visited the residence after Cohen reported that he had been assaulted by his wife.

Another officer, PC Stanley Kanyile, described responding to a distress call at the couple’s Spring Valley residence on July 19, 2019.

The evidence has placed the couple’s troubled relationship under closer scrutiny as the prosecution continues presenting its case.

Dispute over safe and property documents

Chehemi also testified about a separate dispute involving a safe containing property documents.

He said Cohen instructed him to move the safe and open it, but he refused to break into it.

The safe was later taken outside the house and opened using a drill, according to the witness.

Chehemi said Cohen subsequently returned with documents.

He told the court that he later informed Wairimu about what had happened. According to the witness, she said she knew the safe’s combination and believed Cohen wanted access to land documents.

The evidence points to property disputes as another source of tension in the household. The Star previously reported that Chehemi told the court the disagreement over the documents had strained the couple’s relationship.

Employee’s dismissal

Chehemi also described how his employment at the residence ended.

He said Cohen became angry after he refused to open the safe and later arrived with two men in civilian clothes who handcuffed him and took him to Spring Valley Police Station.

Chehemi told the court he was booked for allegedly causing a disturbance but was released about two hours later without being charged.

He said Cohen subsequently made him sign a dismissal letter and threatened to have him returned to police custody.

The witness told the court that he believed Wairimu had protected his job and that Cohen did not want him working at the residence when she was away.

The defence challenged Chehemi over his account of the couple’s relationship and his interactions with Cohen.

Trial continues

The evidence from Chehemi and the police witnesses forms part of the prosecution’s effort to establish what happened in the period before Cohen disappeared.

Wairimu remains an accused person and has denied murdering her husband. Her defence has sought to present Cohen as a difficult and unpredictable man and has pointed to longstanding conflict within the marriage.

The court has not made findings that the alleged domestic disputes caused or led to Cohen’s death.

The murder trial is continuing before Justice Kavedza, with further prosecution witnesses expected to testify as the case progresses. Wairimu’s bid to have the trial nullified was dismissed by the High Court in February, while the Court of Appeal declined a fresh application for her release on bail in August.

About the Author

Maureen Onyango is a journalist passionate about storytelling, life coaching and spiritual lessons. She studied at the Kenya Institute of Management and enjoys telling stories that inform, inspire and empower communities.