John Matara Granted Defence in Scarlett Wahu Murder Trial

Justice Alexander Muteti of the High Court ruled that John Matara, charged with the murder of starlet Scarlett Wahu, will face trial after the prosecution satisfied the threshold for a prima facie case.

The charge stems from Wahu’s death, discovered in a South B apartment on January 3, 2024; she was the sister of preacher Victor Kanyari.

In sworn testimony Matara said he entered the encounter unarmed and was repeatedly stabbed by Wahu, alleging the violence arose from a dispute over unpaid fees and that he had first met her through an online escort advertisement in July or August 2023.

He recounted that their initial meeting took place at Sankara Hotel in Westlands where he paid KSh35,000, and a second encounter in December 2023 where he paid KSh20,000, leaving a balance of KSh15,000; he claimed the amount owed grew to KSh50,000 by the evening of the incident and that he asked his sister for a KSh30,000 loan.

Matara explained that after contacting Wahu on January 1 he spent the New Year at a music studio in Imara Daima Estate, then secured an Airbnb unit costing KSh3,200 per night with a balcony; the manager, who identified herself as Angelica, collected the cash and supplied the Wi-Fi password, after which Matara sent Wahu a video of the apartment which she approved.

He said Wahu instructed him to set his phone to recording mode and place it on the edge of a sofa near the door; after a sexual encounter he went to the washroom, returned, was pushed onto the bed and then stabbed, using a towel to stem the bleeding.

Arresting officer Horace Arwa testified that Matara admitted to stabbing Wahu; a government chemist confirmed DNA from both parties on a knife and a towel recovered from the scene; police also retrieved a blood-stained knife, condoms, HIV testing kits and syringes, and security guards reported seeing Matara leave the flat with blood-stained trousers and a white towel around his neck; the apartment owner acknowledged the short-stay unit was unlicensed and no receipt was issued.

The prosecution concluded its case in April 2026 after calling 18 witnesses; the defence indicated it would call three witnesses; in May Justice Muteti found the prosecution had established a prima facie case and placed Matara on the defence, with Matara pleading not guilty and the hearing continuing.