MP Martha Wangari’s Estranged Husband Arrested over Dutch Tycoon Tob Cohen’s Murder

Peter Karanja, the estranged husband of Gilgil Member of Parliament Martha Wangari was reportedly arrested in connection with the murder of Dutch tycoon Tob Cohen.

Karanja, who is embroiled in a divorce case with Ms. Wangari, is the second suspect to be arrested over the gruesome murder of the billionaire businessman, according to NTV.

MP Wangari is reported to have parted ways with Karanja last year over allegations of domestic abuse, infidelity, lack of support and death threats.

Speaking to The Nairobian last year, Ms. Wanjari accused her husband of five years of being an “emotionally and physically abusive man who beat her up and never provided for their children.”

The body of Cohen was found inside an underground water tank at his home in Kitisuru, Nairobi on Friday, nearly two months after he was reported missing.

Cohen’s estranged wife Sarah Wairimu Kamotho was the first suspect to be arrested over his disappearance and killing. Detectives have described her as the prime suspect in the crime.

Wairimu, who was arrested on August 28th, was arraigned in court on Thursday to face murder charges on but did not take a plea. The court ordered she undergoes a mental assessment.

Homicide detectives will reportedly be probing alleged Mpesa transactions, messages and other communications between Mr. Karanja and Ms. Wairimu.

Cohen,71, went missing on July 19th, 2019. Before his disappearance, Cohen and Ms. Wairimu were embroiled in a bitter divorce case involving a multi-million-shilling property.

Cohen had also sued Wairimu for assault and cited continuous harassment and denial of his conjugal rights in the case.

On Friday, Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI) George Kinoti said Cohen was brutally killed in his own house by people who took their time.

“It is a gruesome murder; they took their time to kill innocent Cohen. He was bound; legs, hands and neck before he was murdered and then they hid him in an underground water tank. They took their time,” said Kinoti.

Cohen had lived in Kenya since 1987.