John Matara to court: Scarlett Wahu stabbed me multiple times

John Matara testifies during the defence hearing in the case of the late Starlet Wahu at Milimani High Court, Nairobi, on October 8, 2026 /LEAH MUKANGAI

John Matara has told the High Court that he was defenceless when Scarlett Wahu allegedly overpowered him and stabbed him multiple times.

On Thursday, Matara, who is accused of murdering Wahu, gave sworn testimony describing the events that led to the violent encounter inside an apartment on January 3, 2024.

Appearing before Justice Alexander Muteti, Matara told the court that he first met Wahu through an online escort-advertising website around July or August 2023.

He contacted her using the phone number on her advertisement and arranged paid sexual encounters. Their first meeting, he said, went well and he paid the agreed fee.

He said a subsequent encounter left an outstanding balance, which he promised to clear at their next hookup.

Matara said that on January 1, 2024, he contacted Wahu about meeting.

From January 1 to January 3, he was at a music studio in Imara Daima Estate, recording and celebrating the New Year with fellow artists.

At around 11 am on January 3, he contacted Wahu to confirm their planned meeting that evening.

He said Wahu preferred to meet around South B and asked him to clear the previous balance. Matara said he sought an Airbnb with a balcony, which Wahu liked based on their earlier meetings.

At about 5 pm, he contacted her again to say he was leaving the studio and heading towards town and South B.

He found an Airbnb advertised online and contacted its manager.

The manager sent him photographs and, after he requested a balcony, told him she offered a unit for Sh3,200 per night and provided directions.

After a brief business meeting with a friend, Matara took an Uber to South B.

The manager directed him to the fourth floor, room 132, and told him the unit was unlocked because two cleaners had just left.

A woman who introduced herself as Angelica came to the door, collected Sh3,200 in cash and told him the Wi-Fi password was on the back of the visitor's book he had signed.

Matara said that after Angelica left, he relaxed in the living room, played music and messaged Wahu on WhatsApp.

He recorded a short video of the apartment, including the balcony view, and sent it to her. She replied saying she liked the place.

He described further sexual encounters, including an occasion when Wahu asked that they have unprotected sex.

He also told the court that she asked him to set his phone on recording mode and place it on the edge of the sofa next to the door to record them in erotic action.

Matara said the issue of Wahu's outstanding fees came up during the evening.

At one point, he called his sister to ask for a ‘soft loan’ of Sh30,000 to enable him to clear what he owed.

By that night, he said his debt stood at Sh50,000.

Describing the encounter, Matara said that after a sexual encounter, he visited the washroom. When he came out, Wahu gently shoved him onto the bed.

He assumed it was time for another encounter, but things turned sour at that point.

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

He said he must have underestimated her displeasure with him and that she repeatedly said he would have to pay what he owed.

Matara said that at first, he crossed his hands in self-defence.

He sustained wounds from the stabbing and used a towel to stop the bleeding.

The prosecution's case, however, presented a different account.

Arresting officer Horace Arwa told the court that Matara admitted to stabbing Wahu when he was arrested.

Wahu was the sister of preacher Victor Kanyari. She was found dead in the apartment in South B.

A government chemist testified that DNA from both Matara and Wahu was found on a knife and a towel recovered from the scene. Police recovered a bloodstained knife, condoms, HIV testing kits and syringes.

The apartment's owner admitted that she did not verify Matara's identity or issue a receipt when he checked in, and that the short-stay apartment was not licensed.

Security guards saw Matara leaving the apartment with bloodstained trousers and a white towel around his neck.

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

The defence indicated that Matara would give sworn testimony and call three witnesses. In May, Justice Muteti ruled that Matara had a case to answer.

The court found that the prosecution had established a prima facie case, placing Matara on his defence.

Matara has pleaded not guilty to all charges.