‘Polite, harmless, God-fearing’: Neighbours, childhood friends describe murder suspect John Matara

Detectives investigating John Matara, the main suspect in the murder of 26-year-old socialite Starlet Wahu, have recovered HIV testing kits, condoms and other items that he is suspected to have used to assault and torture his victims from his house in Kahawa West.

Police searched his house early Wednesday as investigations into his criminal activities intensified.

A visit by Citizen TV crew to the area revealed that Matara, whose love for the bottle was obvious, lived a lonely quiet life, although his house was frequented by women.

The suspect, who did not declare where he worked when he moved into the house in August 2023, used to spend the day in the house, leave in the evening and return dead in the night.

Matara reportedly moved to the one-bedroomed house, located 50 metres off the main road in Kahawa West, after he was chased from apartments close to Kenyatta University.

For a man who used to live alone, Matara had only one seat, a table, and a computer in the sitting room. The other items were empty alcohol bottles, books, and a carpet, with the wall containing notes of different subjects.

The building’s caretaker, Nicholas Mwangi, said; "Hatukuona hiyo tabia hapa venye alikuwa anakaa hapa...alikuwa anakaa mtu mzuri...sasa sisi tumeshangaa kwamba ni yeye amefanya hiyo kitendo.”

Mwangi said, apart from leaving a quiet life, Matara loved alcohol and could be seen in the company of women who visited his house.

"Alikuwa anashinda mchana akiwa kwa nyumba, kama ni usiku anaeza toka anaenda anarudi ikiwa late kama saa nane. Hapa chini tuko na soldier anasema alikuwa anakuja saa nane akiwa mlevi...ndio alikuwa anakuja na wasichana wanafanya vile wanafanya anawasidikiza wanaenda,” he noted.

The caretaker also stated that Matara was struggling financially, and was at times unable to pay his rent.

For Halima Makena, a food vendor who used to sell bhajia to Matara, the news of his involvement in a murder case and other cases of sexual assault was a big shock for a man she considered polite and harmless.

"Alikuwa mtu mpole sana hata haongei mingi...unamwekea hata alikuwa halipi cash, anatuma na simu...alikuwa anasema niwekee ya 50 analipa anaenda nayo,” said Makena.

Residents of Daraja Mbili in Kisii County where the 34-year-old Matara grew up are yet to come to terms with the accusations facing one of their own.

Citizen TV met with two former friends who said Matara was a God-fearing Christian who led the youth in Bible study and music.

Willis Ombegi, one of Matara’s childhood friends, said: "I used to see him come to church early before hata muanze lesson, he knows how to sing...he sings well na inafika mahali ni mtu akianza kutackle issues.”

Yet another, Zack Owanda, noted: "John alikuwa mtu ambaye anajua kanisa sana na yale mambo ambayo yamefanyika ni mambo ya kustaajabisha lakini katika maisha ya binadamu kuna wakati mmoja mtu huanguka.”

Efforts to talk to the family over the matter were futile.

Police investigating the matter were on January 5, 2023 granted 21 days to hold the suspect as they probe the matter.

So far, three other victims have come out to accuse the suspect of sexually assaulting them before stealing cash and other valuables from them.