Sarah Wairimu, widow of Dutch billionaire Tob Cohen, now faces additional criminal charges for allegedly lying to police about losing her passport in 2023, even as she awaits trial for her husband’s murder.
On Saturday, Ms Wairimu made an appearance at the Kibera Law Courts and was taken back to Langata Women’s Prison where she has remained in custody over the six-year-old murder charges.
She has been indicted by prosecutors on two counts: giving false information to a public officer, contrary to Section 129 C of the Penal Code, and swearing a false affidavit before a commissioner of oaths, contrary to Section 114 as read with Section 36 of the Penal Code.
Authorities claim that on February 20, 2023, at Munyange Police Station in Othaya, Nyeri County, Ms Wairimu falsely stated to Chief Inspector Mercy Riungu that her passport number BK043532 was lost. Based on her statement, Inspector Riungu issued a police abstract, a document confirming a lost passport, which typically allows an individual to apply for a replacement.
“She knowingly provided false information to the police regarding the loss of her passport,” prosecutors told the court.
Prosecutors further claim that Ms Wairimu compounded the alleged deception by swearing a false affidavit before advocate Muchiri WaGathoni at his chambers in Pamki House, Nyeri Town, falsely asserting that her passport had been lost. Authorities allege she knew the passport was not missing at the time.
Bond Application Denied
When Ms Wairimu applied for release on bond, the prosecution strongly opposed it, citing the serious murder charges and her potential as a flight risk.
“I urge this court to take judicial notice that the accused herein is facing a murder case. She is being tried for the murder of her husband and has been denied bond,” prosecutors argued.
Kibera Chief Magistrate Zainab Abdul denied the bond request, emphasizing the pending murder case, the likelihood of witness interference, and the risk of flight, particularly after reports that Ms Wairimu fraudulently obtained a second passport while police held the first.
“That is a compelling reason to warrant the court take away the constitutional right to bond,” Magistrate Abdul ruled.
The magistrate allowed Ms Wairimu to revisit the bail plea once the Court of Appeal makes a determination on whether she should be admitted to bond in the murder case. She further ordered the prosecution to ensure that the crime scene and evidence are strictly protected to maintain the integrity of the criminal justice process.
The matter comes up for mention and further directions on November 25, 2025. The Kibera High Court has twice previously denied her release, noting she has not met the legal threshold for bond.
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