Slain Dutch businessman Tob Cohen./FILE
A former employee of slain Dutch businessman Tob Cohen has told the High Court that a dispute over property documents stored in a safe was among the issues that strained Cohen’s relationship with his wife, Sarah Wairimu.
Chrispinus Shihemi, who worked for the couple as a gardener before becoming a housekeeper, testified before Justice Diana Kavedza that Cohen once called him to the master bedroom and instructed him to move a safe and open it.
Shihemi said he declined to break into the safe, a decision that angered Cohen.
The witness told the court that the safe was later taken outside the house, where another man arrived with a drill and opened it.
According to Shihemi, Cohen appeared satisfied after the safe was opened and said: “I got what I wanted.”
Shihemi said Cohen later returned to the house carrying documents.
He told the court that he subsequently informed Wairimu about what had happened. Wairimu, according to the witness, said she knew the safe’s code and alleged that Cohen wanted to obtain land documents to facilitate the sale of property.
The former employee also testified about an incident in February 2019 in which he said he heard Cohen calling for help late at night.
Shihemi said that on February 8, 2019, at about 10 pm, he heard Cohen shouting: “You are killing me, you are killing me.”
He told the court that he rushed to the scene and found Cohen lying on the floor near the stairs, while Wairimu was allegedly holding a chair over him.
Shihemi said Cohen was bleeding following the incident and later accused him of failing to intervene.
“Stupid… You did not help me,” Cohen allegedly told him.
The witness said tensions between the couple subsequently worsened, with Cohen avoiding food prepared by Wairimu and instead preparing or buying his own meals.
Shihemi later left the couple’s employment but said Wairimu asked him to return to the residence in July 2019.
He told the court that Wairimu said the couple had resolved their differences and that Cohen had travelled abroad for medical treatment.
However, Shihemi said he noticed changes at the residence after his return, including missing clothes and Cohen’s red briefcase.
The arrangement of the businessman’s belongings initially led him to believe Cohen had travelled outside the country, the witness said.
He later learnt that Cohen was missing and that Wairimu had been arrested.
Shihemi further testified that he received correspondence from Cohen’s lawyers concerning divorce proceedings which, according to him, had been initiated shortly before Cohen’s death.
Cohen’s body was later found inside a septic tank at his Kitisuru property.
Wairimu has denied the murder allegations and is facing trial before the High Court.
