The High Court in Nairobi on Tuesday heard how CCTV footage and witness accounts linked John Matara to the murder of socialite Starlet Wahu which occurred in January 2024.
Testifying before Justice Muteti, investigating officer Sergeant Alex Chokera told the court he was on duty as Makadara Patrol Car Commander when he received a call at about 4AM reporting a suspected murder at Papino Apartments in South B.
Upon arriving at the scene, Chokera said police officers found Wahu’s lifeless body lying on the floor inside the house in a pool of blood, with visible stab wounds.
A search of the room led to the recovery of several items including a kitchen knife, two mobile phones, a used HIV testing kit, a blood-stained white towel, used and unused condoms, eight syringes and women’s undergarments.
Sergeant Chokera further informed the court that a review of CCTV footage from the apartment building captured a person running out of the house where Wahu’s body was later discovered.
According to the prosecution, the clothes worn by the individual seen in the footage matched the description given by the apartment’s watchman, who reported seeing a man leaving the premises around the same time.
The ODPP said investigators also interviewed the owner of the apartment, who confirmed that the Airbnb unit had been booked in the name of John Matara.
The suspect was later arrested and booked at Industrial Area Police Station before being arraigned in court to face murder charges.
The case is scheduled to resume on April 21, 2026.
