Tob Cohen's body was found in the septic tank of his Nairobi home, and his widow is on trial for his murder while his will leaves the estate to his sister

Tob Cohen was a Dutch businessman who lived in Kenya for more than 30 years and ran Philips East Africa. He was last seen alive on 19 July 2019. His wife, Sarah Wairimu, was taken into custody on 28 August 2019. On 10 September 2019 his body was found in an underground septic tank at their home in Lower Kabete. The house and estate were valued at Sh400 million. The Star reported that his will left the estate to his sister. Wairimu said through her lawyer, Philip Murgor, that the estate went to her sister-in-law, Gabrielle Van Straten, and that she co-owned half of everything. Wairimu and a co-accused, Peter Karanja, were charged with murder. On 5 December 2022 Justice Daniel Ogembo let the prosecutor withdraw the charge. The prosecutor cited 35 lines of inquiry police had not followed, conflicting expert reports on Cohen's will and share transfers, and an alleged forgery of share transfers in his company, Tobs Limited. The accused were discharged, not acquitted. The judge would not order the house, a Porsche Cayenne and Wairimu's dog returned to her. In January 2025 detectives re-arrested her on fresh murder charges. She has been held at Lang'ata Women's Prison since July 2025. Status: charged with murder, not convicted; trial continuing before Justice Diana Kavedza at the Kibera High Court. The house is still a sealed crime scene.