Pastor Victor Kanyari had earlier said his family only saw John Matara on TV after he killed Starlet Wahu.
However, on Friday, January 26, 2024, Wahu’s family came face to face with John Matara as he was presented in court.
Matara on Friday sat at the Makadara court draped in a pinstripe suit and cuffed the whole time, speaking to the magnitude of his offense.
Makadara Law Court Senior Resident Magistrate Mercy Kivuti granted the prosecution’s application to hold Matara in police custody for the next seven days as detectives conclude investigations before he is formally charged with murder.
During the time he will be processed for plea including undergoing mental assessment, a requirement for murder suspects.
The investigations will include firming up the statements of six female witnesses who fell victim to Matara’s violent attacks after luring them in dating sites pretending to be in search of love.
The victims include females in Nairobi, Nakuru and Thika towns who have a similar story that begins with love and end up in serious injury where he holds them hostage and extorts them for money.
Starlet Wahu met Matara at an Airbnb in South B for sex in exchange for money.
Matara was to pay Wahu Ksh20,000 for a night of sex but he ended up killing her after attempts to rob her turned violent.
The suspect demanded Ksh400,000 from Wahu and ended up fatally stabbing her when she failed to meet his demand to transfer the money to him.
Related: Pastor Kanyari Defends Slain Sister Wahu Starlet Against Gold Digging Claims
