John Matara Tells Court Starlet Wahu Stabbed Him During Sh50,000 Dispute

John Matara has told the High Court that Starlet Wahu attacked him with a knife during a confrontation over money, offering a sharply different account of the events that led to her death in a Nairobi short-stay apartment in January 2024.

Testifying in his own defence on Thursday, 8 October, Matara said he was caught off guard when Wahu allegedly began stabbing him inside the South B apartment. He denied killing her.

“There was Scarlett, standing, panting. She was stabbing me multiple times,” he told the court.

Matara is charged with Wahu’s murder. His account has yet to be tested against the prosecution’s evidence, and the court has not determined whether his version of events is credible.

The testimony marks a significant stage in a case that has drawn public attention since Wahu, the sister of preacher Victor Kanyari, was found dead in the apartment in January 2024.

Matara’s account of the night

Appearing before Justice Alexander Muteti at the Milimani High Court, Matara said he first met Wahu in mid-2023 after finding her advertisement on an online platform.

He told the court that their first encounter took place at a hotel in Westlands. He said he paid her KSh35,000. During a later meeting, he said he paid KSh20,000, leaving an outstanding balance of KSh15,000.

According to his testimony, the two arranged to meet again on 3 January 2024. Matara said he was spending the New Year period at a music studio in Imara Daima before arranging accommodation in South B.

He said he found a short-stay apartment advertised online and paid KSh3,200 for the night. He later contacted Wahu, sent her a video showing the apartment and its balcony, and said she approved the choice.

Matara told the court that the issue of money arose during their meeting. He said he called his sister to request a KSh30,000 loan to help him settle what he owed.

By that evening, he claimed, the amount had risen to KSh50,000.

He said the confrontation turned violent after he came out of the bathroom and returned to the bed. He alleged that Wahu pushed him down and began stabbing him.

Matara said he tried to protect himself by crossing his arms over his chest. He claimed he suffered several wounds and used a towel to control the bleeding.

His testimony is the accused person’s account of the encounter. The court must weigh it against the evidence presented by the prosecution.

Prosecution evidence presents a different picture

The prosecution’s case has included testimony from an arresting officer, forensic evidence and accounts from people connected to the apartment.

Arresting officer Horace Arwa told the court that Matara admitted to stabbing Wahu when he was arrested. That evidence differs from Matara’s current claim that Wahu attacked him.

A government chemist also testified that DNA from both Matara and Wahu was found on a knife and a towel recovered from the scene. Police said they recovered a bloodstained knife and other items from the apartment.

The court also heard that security guards saw Matara leaving the building with bloodstained trousers and a white towel around his neck.

The apartment’s owner testified that the short-stay unit was not licensed and that Matara’s identity had not been verified at check-in. She also said no receipt had been issued for the booking.

These details form part of the prosecution’s evidence. Their significance, alongside Matara’s defence, will be assessed by the court.

Court had already found a case to answer

The prosecution closed its case in April 2026 after calling 18 witnesses.

On 22 May, Justice Muteti ruled that the evidence presented was sufficient to require Matara to defend himself against the murder charge. Such a ruling means the case should proceed to the defence stage; it is not a finding of guilt.

Matara has pleaded not guilty.

His testimony on Thursday gave the court his version of the relationship with Wahu and the events of their final meeting. The defence had indicated that he would testify under oath and call three witnesses.

The hearing is continuing, and the court is yet to reach a verdict.

About the Author

Maureen Onyango is a journalist passionate about storytelling, life coaching and spiritual lessons. She studied at the Kenya Institute of Management and enjoys telling stories that inform, inspire and empower communities.