What John Matara’s Sister Said On Starlet Wahu’s Murder- Crime Journalist
Upon receiving a 3:00 am phone call on January 4, 2024, regarding an incident in South B, Nairobi, K24’s crime investigator, Franklin Wallah, anticipated it to be a routine day at work.
Upon receiving information about the incident, he reached out to the local police department, and they informed him that their detectives were en route to the location. Shortly afterward, Wallah arrived at the South B apartment and revealed the sequence of events that exposed the murder of 26-year-old Starlet Wahu.
In a unique discussion with PoliticalPulseChat, Wallah provided a comprehensive account, outlining the process of compiling a report that has garnered widespread recognition. He discussed the interaction with John Matara, the primary suspect in Wahu’s murder, and also presented the sister’s perspective on the incident.
Matara’s Sister
One day following Matara’s discharge from Mbagathi Hospital and subsequent placement in custody at the Industrial Area Police Station, Wallah visited the accused individual and discovered him in the company of his sister.
The investigative reporter disclosed that the sister consistently supported her brother, affirming that Matara was incapable of carrying out such atrocious deeds.
She claimed to the police that her brother likely defended himself to escape from the situation. However, she entrusted the investigators with the task of unraveling the case.
Following a short discussion with Matara’s sister, the investigative reporter learned that on the crucial night, the alleged perpetrator had reached out to her, revealing that he had been stabbed and was undergoing medical care.
The sister, residing at a considerable distance and unable to personally visit Matara, dispatched a friend to inquire about his well-being.
“The friend paid a visit to Matara and while checking up on him, police officers arrived at the hospital. Upon interrogation, the friend was found not to have links to Matara’s actions and was later released,” Wallah explained.
The reporter explained that the sister had visited the police station multiple times, but had not returned since then.
Conversation With Matara
While at the station, the detective engaged in a conversation with the suspect to hear his perspective. Wallah reported that Matara asserted he had been in a romantic relationship with Wahu for two years.
On that crucial day, the pair decided to rendezvous at the residence in South B. While they were at the apartment, Matara claimed to have received a phone call, leading Wahu to feel uneasy and accuse him of being unfaithful.
The accused asserted that following this, a state of disorder unfolded, wherein Wahu purportedly had the intention to stab him. In response, he defended himself by engaging in a struggle.
According to Wallah, Matara’s account of the events didn’t make sense, suggesting that Matara was well aware of his actions.
“It means he suffocated her with his bare hands. He strangled her and threw her on the floor unconscious. It seems he knew what he was doing as he knew where to stab so that she could not survive. If it was a reactionary fight, he could have stabbed her anywhere else such as the chest, stomach, or ribs area but he was deliberate,” Wallah pointed out.
The reporter also remembered their initial encounter with Matara at Mbagathi Hospital, where he was undergoing treatment. Wallah, accompanied by law enforcement officials, had located the individual by tracing phone records.
From initial observations, the reporter portrayed Matara as assertive, expressing dissatisfaction with the priority given to his treatment over the investigations.
Matara challenged the detectives, appearing indifferent to the inquiries made by the officers.
“We tried to ask him about Starlet but he behaved as if he did not grasp what we were asking him,” he remarked.
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Wallah has taken a leading role in the matter, bringing attention to the crime, and conducting interviews with purported victims and the individual responsible for overseeing the apartment where Matara lived in Kahawa West.
In the videos broadcasted on K24, he presented an alternative perspective on the Matara case. According to reports filed at various police stations by purported victims, they accused Matara of pressuring and extorting money from them.
These individuals are part of the group that law enforcement officers have subsequently asked to provide formal statements.
Alternatively, in a discussion with the caretaker, it was disclosed that Matara enjoyed regularly having various women over at his apartment during the night.
“Apart from living a quiet life, he also loved alcohol and could be seen in the company of women who frequented his house,” the caretaker informed Wallah.
Traumatic Event
The reporter characterized the event as ‘heartbreaking’ while initially feeling a bit uneasy due to the unsettling nature of the crime scene.
“For Wahu, it touched me with the way she died. The scene had pools of blood that I have not witnessed to date. Spills of blood from the door to the curtains, walls and also a foul smell, it was such a mess,” he acknowledged.
“But encountering such scenes is traumatizing especially for faint-hearted individuals. You can’t imagine getting a human body in such a horrific state. You get to think this is a human being like you. That feeling of what the deceased went through as she bled her last, triggers a lot of emotions within. It is troubling.”
Wallah described how, over the course of his professional journey, he had faced numerous instances of horrifying murders. He emphasized that he had sought therapy following his coverage of the Shakahola massacre, where more than 420 bodies were discovered in the Shakahola forest.
He urged the Media Council of Kenya (MCK) and other media entities to offer support through therapy and counseling initiatives for journalists.
In previous occurrences, journalists have turned to excessive alcohol consumption as a way to deal with the distressing situations they encounter regularly while fulfilling their responsibilities. Some may find themselves feeling inundated and require a few days of respite to recuperate.
MCK is presently conducting a sequence of therapy sessions focused on addressing the emotional challenges journalists face in navigating their work environment.
Moreover, the Council has established a hotline for journalists to contact and avail themselves of mental wellness programs.
When this article was published, there had been no response from MCK regarding the status of the programs.
What John Matara’s Sister Said On Starlet Wahu’s Murder- Crime Journalist
