Tob Cohen murder: Sarah Wairimu pleads not guilty in fresh charges

Wairimu was arraigned at the Kibera Law Courts on Tuesday where the prosecution submitted that on the night of 19th and 20th July 2019, at Lower Kabete area within Nairobi County, the accused, jointly with others not before the court, murdered Tob Cohen.

Appearing before Lady Justice Diana Kavedza, Wairimu pleaded not guilty to the charges.

She took plea after Justice Mochache ruled that Wairimu could proceed with the plea after the prosecution confirmed the existence of a previous mental assessment conducted in 2019. 

The prosecution had initially requested more time to retrieve key documents, citing difficulties locating files at Lang'ata, the High Court Criminal Registry, and Mathari Hospital. 

However, Justice Mochache denied the request, claiming that the 2019 assessment was sufficient.

"We have just received confirmation from Mathari Hospital that the accused’s mental assessment was conducted in 2019. Therefore, the order for a new evaluation at Mbagathi Hospital is rescinded," the judge ruled.

After Wairimu formally entered her not-guilty plea, the prosecution requested additional time to file responses and serve the defence. 

The defence did not object to the plea process but argued that any additional mental evaluation should only be considered if new evidence arose.

Meanwhile, Wairimu's legal team indicated that it intends to file for bail once they receive the prosecution's affidavit opposing the request. 

Wairimu remains in remand at Lang’ata Women’s Prison, with the court set to reconvene on February 3 for her bail hearing. 

She was re-arrested on January 23 and now faces fresh murder charges following a review of new evidence by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Renson Ingonga.

The decision to reinstate the charges comes after a comprehensive evaluation of new material gathered by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI). 

The DPP stated, "Upon independent and thorough review of the new material, the DPP is satisfied that Ms. Wairimu was involved in the death of Tob Cohen."

Wairimu and her co-accused, Peter Karanja, were originally charged with Cohen's murder in 2019, but were later released on bail. In 2022, former DPP Noordin Haji withdrew the charges, opting for an inquest due to inconsistencies in the case. 

However, with the emergence of fresh evidence, the DPP has now authorized renewed murder charges against Wairimu.

On January 24, 2025, Wairimu was presented before the Kibera Law Courts, where Justice Diana Kavedza ordered her continued detention at Lang’ata Women’s Prison until January 29.