Cohen had reported assault by Wairimu to police months before he went missing, court hears

The footage was presented before the High Court during the testimony of former Parklands OCPD James Muribo and homicide detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations who are part of the team investigating the murder.

As the footage played, Wairimu appeared visibly distressed and was unable to continue watching, prompting the judge to order a short adjournment before proceedings resumed.

Muribo told the court that months before Cohen's disappearance and death in 2019, the businessman had raised concerns with police over an assault case allegedly involving Wairimu, claiming investigations were not being adequately pursued.

The former officer testified that Cohen visited Parklands Police Station in February 2019, where he recorded a statement and submitted medical documents, including a P3 form, alleging he had been assaulted.

"He came and we recorded his statement and the P3 form," Muribo told the court.

Muribo further testified that plans to arrest Wairimu stalled after Cohen declined to provide further statements to investigators. He added that an unidentified person later delivered a letter purportedly authored by Cohen, instructing police to halt investigations into the assault complaint. Subsequent attempts to reach Cohen by phone were unsuccessful before he eventually went missing.

"The arrest of Wairimu was delayed because Cohen did not cooperate with us," he said.

In a key moment during the proceedings, DCI detectives presented video evidence documenting the search and eventual recovery of Cohen's body. Investigators told the court that after an extensive search of the property, they identified three cement mounds on a section of the floor above a water tank, which had been concealed using pieces of wood and soil to disguise the access point.

Upon breaking through the structure, detectives discovered that one of the cement mounds had sealed the entrance to the tank, preventing water from entering.

"We want to show this court how we uncovered the scene. It was on the right far corner," DCI officer Beneutychus Wanjohi told the court.

The court heard that recovering the body was a lengthy process, as it had been tightly bound with ropes and wrapped in a plastic bag and curtain before being concealed inside the tank.

The court has since allowed Wairimu to visit her home under police escort next Monday and granted her access to banking services as the trial continues.