By Andrew Kariuki
The High Court is expected to rule on whether murder suspect John Matara will have a case to answer in the ongoing trial over the death of socialite Starlet Wahu, who was killed at an Airbnb apartment in Nairobi’s South B area in January 2024.
The ruling, scheduled for May 22, 2026, will determine whether the prosecution has established a prima facie case against Matara or whether he should be acquitted at this stage after the prosecution formally closed its case.
During the latest proceedings, the court heard testimony from a doctor attached to Mbagathi Hospital who produced medical records relating to injuries sustained by Matara shortly after the receiving him at the hospital.
The witness, Dr. Marvin Matulu, told the court that Matara was admitted to the hospital on January 4, 2024, at approximately 12:07 a.m. after presenting with multiple injuries. According to the medical documents produced before court, the accused was first attended to at the casualty department before being transferred to the minor theatre for treatment.
In a medical report dated January 25, 2024, the doctor stated:
“Patient had sustained multiple cuts and bruises to both upper limbs and both lower limbs.”
The report further indicated that Matara received tetanus toxoid injections, pain medication and antibiotics, while all visible wounds were sutured and dressed. The court also heard that he was administered intravenous fluids and underwent radiological examinations on his limbs to rule out fractures.
“Radiographs of all limbs [were] done to rule out any fractures,” the report states.
The doctor further told the court that Matara was later discharged and placed on outpatient follow-up after doctors found there was “no need for further intervention or admission.”
Additional treatment notes produced before court indicated that Matara had reportedly suffered stab wounds on both upper limbs and on the left and right lower limbs.
The medical documents also showed that he underwent suturing and wound dressing procedures before being discharged in medically stable condition with prescribed medication, including antibiotics and painkillers.
Another document presented before court showed that doctors recommended physiotherapy after the wounds healed due to concerns relating to numbness on the right hand associated with cuts sustained during the incident.
The court additionally heard that Matara underwent abdominal and testicular ultrasound examinations while under treatment. Medical notes presented before court indicated that the liver, kidneys, pancreas and spleen appeared normal, although the report noted “moderate bilateral hydrocele” and what doctors described as “an inflammatory process.”
During cross-examination, the defence questioned whether the injuries,particularly the reported multiple lacerations on his forearms, could conclusively be categorised as either defensive or offensive wounds.
However, the doctor maintained that such a determination could not be made purely from medical observation alone.
According to the testimony, the witness explained that whether injuries are defensive or offensive would depend on the broader circumstances surrounding the incident and not solely on clinical examination findings.
The defence also challenged aspects of the medical documentation and interpretation of the injuries, while the prosecution maintained that the medical evidence supported its case against the accused.
Matara has denied murdering Wahu shortly after the two reportedly checked into the apartment.
The matter will return to court on May 22, 2026, when the High Court is expected to determine whether the accused has a case to answer and whether the trial will proceed to the defence stage.
