The Tob Cohen and Sarah Wairimu story

 The tragic story of the late Tom Kohan, a Dutch national, and his Kenyan wife, Sarah Wairimu Kohan, has been dominating the media in Kenya for several days, raising many questions and mysteries. Today, we aim to examine some of these aspects carefully, although we must be cautious due to the ongoing investigation.

To begin with, it's important to remember that in a civilized society, the justice system operates through a well-established process: if a crime is committed, a suspect is identified, sufficient evidence is presented in court, and the suspect is either convicted or acquitted. Public discussions or debates on social media should not influence this process, particularly in serious cases such as murder. The law is clear: if there is reasonable doubt, a suspect must be acquitted. Despite this, innocent people are sometimes wrongfully convicted, which underscores the importance of caution and fairness in these matters.

The case of Tom Kohan and his wife, Sarah, is both tragic and complex. Tom first came to Kenya in 1987, and like many foreigners, he fell in love with the country, eventually marrying Sarah in 2007. However, their marriage began to experience significant problems around 2014, leading to a rocky relationship that continued to deteriorate. This period of marital strain raises the question: was the seventh year, often considered a critical point in marriages, the breaking point for them?

One key event that highlighted the couple's troubled relationship was a wedding reception held at their home in Spring Valley last year. The reception was for Sarah's biological daughter from a previous relationship, whom Tom had adopted and cared for. According to Sarah, Tom behaved poorly during the event, criticizing his daughter’s choice of a husband and even attempting to flirt with some of her young friends. However, close friends of Tom, including former legislator Patrick Mwiruri, tell a different story, claiming that despite Tom’s deep care for his adopted daughter, he was completely ignored at the event, even being publicly reprimanded by Sarah when he tried to speak.

Patrick Mwiruri, who spoke to Tom the night before he disappeared, recalls Tom expressing concern for his life. Tom allegedly feared for his safety and believed his wife was plotting to have him murdered. Furthermore, just a week earlier, Tom had written a letter to the Director of Public Prosecutions, claiming that Sarah was conspiring with senior police officers to have him falsely charged with assault and deported, leaving her in control of his assets, including a multi-billion shilling hotel project.

When Tom went missing on July 20th, Sarah claimed that he had left the country. However, his friends and relatives, along with the police, did not believe this story, as Tom had repeatedly expressed concerns about his safety in the days leading up to his disappearance. Two weeks later, after intense questioning, Sarah was arrested, and 58 days after his disappearance, Tom's body was discovered in a septic tank at the couple's home.

One key figure in this case is Sarah's lawyer, Philip Murgor, a well-known and experienced attorney who has represented high-profile clients, including Kamlesh Pattni in the infamous Goldenberg scandal. Murgor has publicly criticized certain actions taken by investigators, including the premature release of evidence to the press, which he claims is damaging to the case. He has also decided to go public with some of the defense's findings in response to the public dissemination of evidence by the prosecution. While this may be seen as a strategy to gain an advantage, it raises ethical concerns.

Meanwhile, social media has been rife with speculation, and some have gone as far as making defamatory remarks about Sarah, even profiling the Kikuyu community in the process. This kind of public judgment could severely harm the case, as it could lead to a mistrial, with the possibility of a guilty person walking free on technicalities.

As we follow this case, it's crucial to separate the complexities of the couple’s personal issues from the criminal investigation. Marriage is a deeply complex institution, and while public opinion may offer strong reactions, it is essential to let the law take its course without preconceived judgments. The emotional turmoil within a marriage may lead to actions that are not easily understood by outsiders, and these personal dynamics should not be reduced to social media gossip.

The developments in this case will continue to be closely watched by many, and I will follow the progress on your behalf in the weeks and months to come. Until then, let's hope for a fair and just resolution.