Murder suspect John Matara denies killing socialite Starlet Wahu
Murder suspect Eric Matara has denied killing Starlet Wahu.
Matara, who was at the Makadara Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) offices, appeared virtually before Justice Kanyi Kimondo at the Milimani Law Courts on February 2, 2024.
Dressed in a black suit and matching tie, he denied committing murder contrary to sections 203 and 204 of the Penal Code.
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions says it intends to object to his release on bond.
Matara will thus remain behind bars until February 26, 2024, when his bail application will be heard.
Matara was arrested moments after presenting himself at the Mbagathi hospital reportedly with stab wounds.
Police say he murdered the socialite at a short-stay apartment in South B, a Nairobi suburb.
CCTV cameras at the building appeared to show the suspect and socialite, who is the sister of prominent pastor Vincent Kanyari, entering the building while chatting.
Matara is said to have hired the apartment in the area before luring Wahu whom he met on a dating site into the house.
Her body was discovered in a pool of blood in the apartment with several stab wounds.
Pastor Kanyari explained in an interview that he ‘had never seen the man before’ adding that his sister was ‘lured to death because she was in love’.
The preacher further confirmed that her sister called her in the wee hours of the morning and he did not pick up the call as he was asleep. Only for her body to be discovered hours later.
“We had not seen the man before. We learned about him after her death. This is so tragic for us, the family, and even her friends. May her soul rest in peace,” he told the Nairobi News in an exclusive interview.
“I am heartbroken; she was doing so well in life. We last met on Christmas, and on New Year’s Eve, we spent time together at home,” the preacher stated.
Wahu was laid to rest on Saturday, January 6, at her parents’ home in Kamulu area of Ruai, Nairobi County.
She died after reportedly being stabbed in the head and the right thigh during the incident.
Also read: Murder suspect John Matara denies killing socialite Starlet Wahu
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