Missing Dutch tycoon Tob Cohen feared murdered, wife ‘prime suspect’

Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI) George Kinoti now says missing Dutch citizen Tob Cohen could have been murdered even as his estranged wife Sarah Wairimu Kamotho remains in police custody.

Ms. Kamotho was on Wednesday arrested at her Kitisuru home before being interrogated at the DCI headquarters on Kiambu Road after which she was taken to Muthaiga Police Station where she is being held.

DCI Kinoti also stated that the tycoon’s estranged wife is the prime suspect in his disappearance and possible murder, adding that he will seek more time in court to detain her pending further investigations.

Mr. Cohen, a tours and travel magnate who has lived in Kenya since 1987, reportedly went missing between July 19 and July 20 this year.

Employees at the Dutchman’s home previously told police that he was – on the afternoon of July 20 – picked up and driven off in a white car while carrying only a briefcase.

Mr. Cohen and Ms. Kamotho were reportedly embroiled in a bitter divorce case, at the centre of which was a multi-million shilling property, during the days leading up to his disappearance.

He had also on July 12, 2019 filed an assault case against his estranged wife, during which he also cited continuous harassment and denial of his conjugal rights by the woman.

“On February 5, 2019 Sarah Wairimu Kamotho stormed in our client’s home office and threw a glass of water aimed at the face of our client and threatened him,” read court papers filed by Musyoki Mogaka & Co. Advocates on behalf of Mr. Cohen.

The papers added that on February 8 “Around midnight, as he was standing on top of the stairs leading to the garden, Sarah suddenly pushed him down stairs, causing our client to fall and seriously injure his forehead.”

According to the Nation, Ms. Kamotho – on July 18 – reportedly wrote a note to the Dutch Embassy in Nairobi alleging that; “Tob has depression and mental condition he won’t address for personal reasons and this has (been) and is causing a lot of problems”.

“He has become impossible to live with, even though we try. The family has stepped aside due to the abusive and vindictive nature of his condition.”

Detectives in the case are also reportedly investigating two letters sent to the former Philips Electronics East Africa boss’ lawyers on July 20 – shortly after he went missing – purporting to withdraw the assault case as well as the divorce case.