Gabrielle Hannah Van Straten, sister of slain Dutch tycoon Tob Cohen has come out to claim that her brother was forced into his marriage with Sarah Wairimu.
While testifying in court yesterday, Gabrielle said Wairimu threatened to have her late brother deported if he declined to marry her.
Van Straten told the court that all she wants is justice for her late brother as the legal battle for Cohen’s estate continues.
“Yes, I want justice before I die because I’m 70 years old, and I know for sure that Sarah told my brother if he doesn’t accept the marriage, he will be deported,” she said.
The sister further testified that Cohen never had children with his first wife who was a Dutch and never had a child with Sarah Wairimu adding that he underwent surgery, and it was his decision not to have children.
“When my brother came into the country, he had a Dutch wife and no children because at the age of 27 he had an operation,” the court was told.
Van Straten also refuted claims that Wairimu has shared Cohen’s properties while at the same time revealing that she received an email from her brother telling her where to find the will in case Sarah kills him.
“In 2019, I received an email and the first sentence was if Sarah kills me now, the will is at my friend and lawyer Cheges Kirundi safe,” she said.
When asked why she never attended her brother’s burial, she said that her mission was to find her brother and not to fight over property.
She revealed that she has used over Sh20 million in the fight for her brother to find justice.
“I have proof that I have used a lot of money, I have been paying my lawyers, plane tickets, accommodation,” she said.
According to Straten, her brother’s will was opened on September 19, 2019, and Wairimu was never given any shares.
The body of the 71-year-old Dutch tycoon was discovered buried in a septic tank at his Kitsuru home in Farasi Lane. He had been missing for two months.
Cohen’s body was discovered blindfolded and with both hands tied suggesting that he might have been tortured before his death.
Detectives also found a rope tied around his neck. Cohen was a celebrated golf tournament organizer and the former Chief Executive Officer of Philips East Africa.
Cohen immigrated to Kenya as an employee of Philips East Africa. He later started his own company Tobs Limited which specialized in planning golf safari trips.
He married Sarah Wairimu Kamotho,52, who worked as his personal assistant in 2007.