By Dorothy Musyoka
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) has opposed the release of Sarah Wairimu Cohen, the widow of the late Dutch tycoon Tob Cohen, on bail, citing concerns over witness interference.
Senior Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions, Mr. Vincent Monda, informed the court that two key witnesses under the Witness Protection Programme are set to testify in camera.
He emphasized that Wairimu’s bail application could be reviewed after their testimonies.
“My Lady, the prosecution has two witnesses under witness protection who will testify in camera. We have also filed an affidavit by Assistant Superintendent of Police Maxwel Otieno, opposing Wairimu’s release on bail due to concerns of witness interference,” said Monda.
According to Mr. Otieno’s affidavit, some of the prosecution’s witnesses were close associates and former employees of the accused.
Given their past relationships, police are apprehensive that Wairimu may attempt to influence their testimonies, particularly those not under witness protection.
Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions Sarah Ogweno further urged the court to deny bail, arguing that Wairimu had previously instructed her workers to misrepresent key material facts.
The prosecution also revealed that some witnesses had faced intimidation, coercion, and threats, which necessitated their placement under the Witness Protection Programme.
Additionally, the police have requested that Wairimu stay away from the late Tob Cohen’s residence, which remains a crime scene until the court conducts a site visit to examine where his body was discovered.
Wairimu was re-arrested after the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Renson Ingonga, CBS, OGW, reviewed the case and found sufficient evidence to charge her with murder.
Read more:http://ODPP Orders Fresh Murder Charges against Sarah Cohen of Her Husband Tob Cohen
The case is being prosecuted by Counsel ADPP, PC Peris Maina, and PC Livia Gachanja.
She is currently remanded at Lang’ata Women’s Prison pending a bail ruling set for February 18, 2025.