The murder trial of 34-year-old John Matara Ongoa has drawn widespread national attention following the death of 26-year-old socialite Starlet Wahu Mwangi in January 2024.
Wahu, the younger sister of prominent Nairobi preacher Prophet Victor Kanyari, died on 4 January 2024 inside a short-term rental apartment in South B, Nairobi. Taking the witness stand to offer his defence, Matara gave a detailed chronological narration of his relationship with Wahu, leading up to the night of her death.
Online Connection and Previous Encounters
Matara testified that he first encountered Wahu around July or August 2023 on an adult advertisement website. After initiating contact via WhatsApp, they agreed on a Ksh 35,000 fee for an overnight hook-up.
They subsequently met at a high-end hotel in Nairobi’s Westlands, where they spent the night together.
A second meeting took place in December 2023 at the same hotel. For this encounter, Matara paid Ksh 20,000 in cash, leaving an outstanding balance of Ksh 15,000, which he promised to settle during their next meeting.
Booking the South B Apartment
On 1 January 2024, Matara called Wahu to arrange a New Year meeting. They agreed to meet on 3 January 2024. Wahu requested a venue in South B that featured a balcony. She also reminded him to clear the previous Ksh 15,000 debt.
Matara located a short-stay unit via an online listing service managed by a property agent. He booked Room Y32 on the fourth floor for Ksh 3,200 per night. After checking in around 6:00 pm, he paid the short-stay fee in cash and secured an extension to stay until 12:00 pm the following day.
“Come 1st January 2024, it was the New Year festivities, and I figured that I could get to spend some time again with Starlet. So, I got in contact with her in first Jan and told her how about we meet to celebrate the new year I called her. And we agreed to meet sometime on 3rd Jan 2024,” he added.
Wahu arrived at the apartment parking lot at approximately 8:00 pm in a red Uber. Matara paid the driver Ksh 350, helped her out of the vehicle, and purchased a 750ml bottle of whisky (40% ABV) from a local store.
Once inside Room Y32, they locked the metal entrance door with a latch. Matara placed his mobile phone on the sofa set to record their interactions. They took nude photographs for Wahu's OnlyFans account, which Matara regularly helped manage.
Before becoming intimate, both individuals performed a self-administered HIV test, which produced negative results for both.
The Financial Dispute and Violent Altercation
According to Matara, the mood shifted abruptly following intimacy. Wahu demanded immediate payment of Ksh 50,000, comprising the Ksh 15,000 debt and a Ksh 35,000 fee for the night.
When Matara explained that he could only transfer part of the money immediately, Wahu became hysterical.
Matara transferred Ksh 20,000 to her M-Pesa account and phoned his sister requesting a Ksh 30,000 loan, which was turned down.
As he attempted to protect himself, the blade sliced his palms. Matara crawled between her legs, fled to the living room, and grabbed his trousers, phone, and a towel to stem his profuse bleeding. He escaped through the front door as Wahu closed it behind him.
Escape, Hospitalisation, and Arrest
Bleeding heavily, Matara limped down the staircase to the third floor, entered the lift, and informed occupants that he had been attacked.
Two motorcycle taxi riders assisted him to a nearby medical clinic. Due to severe blood loss, medics referred him to Mbagathi Hospital.
At Mbagathi Hospital, police officers placed Matara under arrest and informed him that Wahu had died. In court, Matara denied stabbing Wahu, asserting that he acted entirely in self-defence and left her alive when he fled the room.
