John Matara, who is facing trial for the alleged murder of socialite Starlet Wahu, testified in his defence on October 8, 2026, before a Nairobi court. He recounted his relationship with Wahu, which began in July or August 2023 after they arranged a sexual encounter at Sankara Hotel in Westlands. Matara claimed he paid Wahu Ksh.35,000 for the encounter, as agreed beforehand.
Matara stated that their relationship became closer, and he developed feelings for Wahu. In early January 2024, he contacted Wahu to celebrate the New Year together. They planned to meet on January 3, but Matara was at a music studio in Imara Daima, recording music and celebrating with fellow artists. He claimed Wahu informed him she would be in South B later that evening after meeting friends and suggested they meet there.
Matara said he left the studio and travelled to South B in search of accommodation with a balcony, as Wahu had requested. He found an Airbnb through Jiji and secured a room costing Ksh.3,200 for the night. Matara claimed he met two women at the apartment who showed him around the bedroom, bathroom, and balcony before leaving him inside. He then received a call from Wahu, informing him she had arrived at the apartment's parking area.
According to Matara, he went downstairs to pick Wahu up and paid her chauffeur Ksh.250. They bought a 750ml bottle of Hunters whisky and returned to the apartment, where they became intimate. Matara claimed they had previously recorded videos of themselves during intimate encounters and watched them later. Wahu allegedly asked him to set his phone to record them, and she placed her own phone in the bedroom to capture their encounter.
Matara testified that they took an HIV test before having sex, and both tests were negative. He claimed Wahu initially wanted them to have sex without condoms, but he changed his mind, and they used condoms he had brought. After sex, Wahu demanded payment, including the outstanding balance of Ksh.15,000. Matara claimed Wahu became angry and threatened that nobody would leave the room alive unless she was paid.
Matara said he tried to calm Wahu down, but she pushed him onto the bed. He claimed he fell onto the bed, expecting to have sex again, but suddenly experienced multiple pains on his body. Matara testified that Wahu stabbed him multiple times, and he folded his hands on his chest to cover himself. He claimed he was bleeding profusely and realised Wahu was holding a knife.
Matara maintained that he did not kill Wahu, stating that he was still shocked that she died as a result of the scuffle. His account constitutes his testimony in his defence and remains subject to cross-examination and the court's determination.
Key points
- John Matara claims Starlet Wahu stabbed him multiple times during a scuffle at an Airbnb apartment in South B, Nairobi.
- Matara recounts his relationship with Wahu, which began in July or August 2023, and claims they had planned to meet on January 3, 2024.
- Matara's testimony is subject to cross-examination and the court's determination in the trial for Wahu's alleged murder.
