‘She stabbed me multiple times’: John Matara tells court he did not kill Starlet Wahu

John Matara, who is facing trial for the alleged murder of socialite Starlet Wahu, on Thursday gave the court an account of his relationship with the deceased and the events leading to their final meeting in January 2024.

Testifying in his defence, Matara told the court that he first met Wahu around July or August 2023 after the two had arranged a sexual encounter. He said they met at Sankara Hotel in Westlands, where they spent the night together.

Matara said he paid Wahu Ksh.35,000 for the encounter, as had allegedly been agreed beforehand.

He told the court that they later met again at the same hotel, where they drank, spent time together and had sex. On that occasion, he said, he paid her Ksh.20,000 and remained with a Ksh.15,000 balance that he promised to settle during their next meeting.

According to Matara, the relationship between the two subsequently became closer and he developed feelings for Wahu.

He said that in early January 2024, he contacted Wahu proposed that they meet on January 3 to celebrate the New Year together.

Matara told the court that on January 3 he was at a music studio in Imara Daima, where he had been recording music and celebrating with fellow artists.

At about 11am, he said, he contacted Wahu to confirm their plans. She allegedly told him she expected to be in South B later that evening after meeting friends and suggested that they meet there.

Matara said Wahu also reminded him about the outstanding Ksh.15,000 balance from their previous encounter.

He told the court that Wahu requested that he find accommodation with a balcony, saying she had enjoyed having one during their previous meeting.

At about 5pm, Matara said he left the studio and travelled towards town before proceeding to South B in search of accommodation.

He said he found an Airbnb through Jiji and insisted on a room with a balcony. He eventually secured a room costing Ksh.3,200 for the night.

According to his testimony, he travelled to the apartment by Uber and contacted a woman identified as Jane, who was supervising the accommodation.

Matara said Jane directed him to the fourth floor, room Y32, and told him the room was unlocked because cleaners had just left.

He testified that he met two women at the apartment who showed him around the bedroom, bathroom and balcony before leaving him inside.

Matara said he later received a call from Wahu informing him that she had arrived at the apartment's parking area.

He told the court that he went downstairs to pick her up and paid her chauffeur Ksh.250.

The two then went to a liquor shop, where they bought a 750ml bottle of Hunters whisky, before returning to the apartment.

Matara said the pair hugged and kissed after entering the apartment and that they later became intimate.

He told the court that Wahu made video calls to friends while the two were naked, prompting him to give her a towel to cover herself.

According to Matara, the two had previously recorded videos of themselves during intimate encounters and watched them later.

He said Wahu subsequently asked him to set his phone to record them and later placed her own phone in the bedroom so that it could capture their intimate encounter.

Matara further testified that they took an HIV test before having sex. He said both tests were negative.

He told the court that Wahu had initially wanted them to have sex without condoms but that he changed his mind and they eventually used condoms he had brought with him.

The accused said that after they had sex, Wahu demanded payment of money, including the outstanding balance.

Matara claimed that Wahu became angry and allegedly threatened that nobody would leave the room alive unless she was paid.

He said he tried to calm her down because he expected to receive money and pay her.

Matara told the court that he called his sister seeking a soft loan but she declined to assist him.

He said that after going to the bathroom, he returned to the room and continued drinking.

According to his testimony, Wahu was standing when she gently pushed him onto the bed.

Matara said he fell onto the bed and initially believed that they were about to have sex again.

He then told the court that he suddenly began experiencing multiple pains on his body.

"She stabbed me multiple times…I folded my hands on my chest so as to cover myself...I was bleeding profusely…there was blood all over. Then I realised she was holding a knife, I never at any moment handled that knife," he testified.

“I can't really tell what happened...especially when I was struggling for my life. I'm still shocked to date that Scarlet died as a result of that scuffle...I did not kill Scarlett Wahu.”

Matara's account constitutes his testimony in his defence and remains subject to cross-examination and the court's determination.