Sarah Wairimu Kamotho was on Wednesday formally charged before the High Court Kibera with the murder of her husband, Dutch billionaire Tob Chichou Cohen, marking a dramatic turn in the long-running case.

Appearing before Hon. Lady Justice Diana Kavedza, Wairimu pleaded not guilty to the charge, which was brought under Section 203 as read with Section 204 of the Penal Code. The court heard that on the night of 19th and 20th July 2019, at the Lower Kabete area in Nairobi County, she, together with others not before the court, allegedly murdered Cohen.

The charge follows a review of the case by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), who determined that fresh murder charges were warranted.

The prosecution, represented by Sarah Ogweno, Peris Maina, Christine Timoi, Livia Gachanja, and Leon Wandera, presented the accused's mental assessment report and sought time to file an affidavit opposing her release on bond. Following this, Wairimu was remanded pending a bail hearing scheduled for Monday.

Her formal arraignment came after the DPP, citing new evidence received from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), moved to terminate an inquest into Cohen’s murder.

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A press statement from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions indicated that “overwhelming evidence” pointed to Wairimu’s involvement in her husband's death.

“Upon independent and thorough review of the new material, the DPP is satisfied that Ms. Wairimu was involved in the death of Tob Cohen,” read the statement dated January 23, 2025.

The latest developments follow Wairimu’s arrest in Nairobi last Tuesday. On the same day, the DPP applied for a mental assessment before her plea-taking, a request made by Prosecution Counsel Vincent Monda, Wangeci Gichui, Ebby Maswai, Christine Timoi, and Peris Maina.

The court remanded Wairimu at Lang’ata Women’s Prison until January 29, 2025, when she was finally charged.

The DPP has reiterated that the prosecution is committed to upholding the rule of law and ensuring justice is served in accordance with public interest and the administration of justice.