The High Court on Tuesday denied widow of slain Dutch tycoon Tob Cohen, bail for the third time saying it is because of witness intimidation, flight risk, and interference with the crime scene.

In her ruling Justice Diana Kavedza said Wairimu will remain in custody at Lang’ata Women’s Prison until the conclusion of her murder trial.

“It is my considered view that the principles of justice and public interest outweigh the accused’s right to liberty at this stage,” Justice Kavedza said in her ruling.

Wairimu is charged with the murder of Cohen, whose body was discovered in a septic tank at his Kitisuru home in July 2019.

Her latest bid for bail was a renewed application based on the fact that the prosecution’s two key witnesses had already testified in April this year.

However, Justice Kavedza dismissed the claim that this amounted to a significant change in circumstance.

“The court did not guarantee release once the witnesses testified. Instead, it merely opened the door for reconsideration, provided compelling circumstances were shown.” the judge said.

One of the key grounds for the court’s decision to deny her bail yet again is Wairimu’s alleged repeated intimidation of a police officer, Corporal Pascal Buana, in open court.

The officer testified in court that Wairimu whispered the phrase “shame on you” to him three times during proceedings.

“If the accused can intimidate an armed officer in open court,” the judge posed, “what might she do outside, where the court has no eyes or ears?” she asked.

The court had previously directed Wairimu to apologize for the incident via affidavit, an apology she submitted.

However, Justice Kavedza said the gesture lacked remorse and failed to assure the court that witness safety would be guaranteed if she were released.

Despite an earlier court order by the Milimani High Court requiring her to surrender her passport, an immigration report revealed she had traveled abroad multiple times using a second passport, which she allegedly obtained without the knowledge of the investigating officer.

“The fact that the accused could acquire a second passport while the first remained with the police cannot be ignored,” the judge noted.

“This court finds her a flight risk.”

In addition, Wairimu admitted to renovating the crime scene, her marital Kitisuru home in Spring Valley, Nairobi, despite a prior court order placing the property under the custody of Spring Valley Police.

The case will be mentioned on July 30, 202,5 when hearing dates will be fixed. She has pleaded not guilty in February this year.