Starlet Wahu Murder Suspect Reveals What Happened Before Her Death

Murder suspect John Matara has denied killing socialite Starlet Wahu and told the court that the two had an intimate relationship and created intimate videos together before her death.

Wahu was found murdered at an Airbnb apartment at Papino Apartments in South B, Nairobi, on Thursday, January 4, 2024. Matara is standing trial over her death.

While testifying in his defence on Thursday, October 8, 2026, Matara said Wahu operated a subscription-based content platform, OnlyFans, where she uploaded nude photographs to earn money.

He claimed that his background in graphic design and computer programming enabled him to assist her in managing the account.

According to Matara, his role involved editing and uploading photographs, managing the account and optimising its visibility on search engines to attract more traffic and engagement.

“She had an OnlyFans account, OnlyFans.com account, on which she would post these photos, her nude photos,  as a side hustle, meaning to make some money out of it. And since I was skilled in graphic design, that’s fine art,  having specialized in graphic design and computer programming, I would help her from time to time in editing, uploading, managing and optimizing the account,” Matara said.

John Matara Claims Wahu Stabbed Him After Intimate Encounter

He further told the court that the account’s login details were stored on his phone, which he claimed had been formatted by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).

John Matara also described a nude photography session during their final encounter, saying they continued enjoying their drinks, listening to music, and engaging in intimate activities afterwards.

He said that after they had been intimate, he went to the washroom and returned to the bedroom, where he found Wahu standing between the bed and the wardrobe, where he approached her intending to hug her again, but she pushed him onto the bed.

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According to his testimony, he followed her movements and lay on the bed, believing they were about to resume their intimate encounter.

However, Matara said he was caught by surprise when he suddenly felt multiple sharp pains in his thighs.

He claimed that he attempted to evade the attack by folding his legs and rolling towards the left side of the bed as Wahu allegedly continued stabbing him. Matara said that they had remained naked since arriving at the Airbnb.

Suspect Insists Wahu Was Alive When He Left Airbnb

The suspect said he had paid Wahu Ksh30,000 during their final encounter after being intimate, but Wahu demanded additional money before attacking him with a knife.

Matara claimed that she stabbed him repeatedly in the thighs while he was on the bed, forcing him to attempt to escape.

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He further told the court that he managed to flee the bedroom while bleeding from his injuries and used a towel to cover his wounds as he made his way out of the Airbnb.

Matara maintained that Wahu was still alive when he left the premises, alleging that she was shouting for her money as he escaped.

He also told the court that he never touched the knife in question and insisted that Wahu was the person who attacked him.

“I can’t really tell what happened…especially when I was struggling for my life. I’m still shocked to date that Scarlet died as a result of that scuffle…I did not kill Scarlett Wahu,” he testified.

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John Matara, main suspect in the murder of socialite Starlet Wahu, appearing before the court. Photo/ Courtesy