Kenyan wife of popular Dutch billionaire accused of murdering husband amid bitter divorce battle

A Kenyan woman, who is married to a Dutch business tycoon, has appeared in court on charges of murder of her husband after he mysteriously went missing for days. Sarah Wairimu Cohen is believed to have killed her husband, Tob Cohen, who is a former CEO of Philips Electronics East Africa.

Cohen was last seen alive at his home in July, reports the Associated Press.

According to Citizen TV, Cohen’s body was discovered in a septic tank on September 13, days after he first went missing.

So far, a plea by Sarah has been heard by a court in Nairobi, postponing the case till October 1.

Stella Mutuku, the High Court Judge, said: “First, I want to take time to make a ruling on the issues you conversed before me (referring to the lawyers). Those are issues I can’t do it on this court. I will, therefore, defer, taking of the plea for the accused person until Tuesday the first of October (2019).”

The Citizen TV reports that this became the case after it seemed that the defence lawyer for Sarah Wairimu is a state prosecutor and may not be eligible to take on a case of such merit.

In the meantime, Sarah will continue to be held in custody at the Lang’ata Women’s Prison.

Tob Cohen’s body was found in a septic tank next to his residence, authorities in Kenya have confirmed. This was after he had been missing for 60 days, reports NL Times.

The two had been embroiled in a contentious divorce case involving multi-million shilling property. Sarah was arrested last month after her husband’s disappearance, while a friend of hers was later arrested, confessing to the crime that led to the body of Cohen being discovered.

According to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, Kenya, “The body which was wrapped with many layers of clothing revealed signs of torture before his murder.”

Telegraaf reports that the legs of the body were tied together, indicating that it was not clear if Cohen was still alive when he was tied up and thrown into the septic tank.

While in custody, Sarah Wairimu is set to undergo mental evaluation even as she stands murder trial.

Cohen immigrated to Kenya in 1987 as an employee of the Philips electronics firm. He later launched a travel agency that specialized in golf safari trips.

Reports said he married Sarah, who was his personal assistant at the agency, in 2007.