Officer testifies on evidence recovered in murder case of prophet Kanyari’s sister, Starlet Wahu

The investigating officer has testified in court on how detectives processed the scene where starlet Wahu was found dead, recovered exhibits, and traced the accused, John Matara, to his eventual arrest at Mbagathi Hospital.

Appearing before Milimani high court Justice Alexander Muteti,detective Alex Cholera told the court that when officers entered the apartment, they found the body lying in the sitting room near the door with multiple stab wounds.

“The body was lying on the floor… it had stab wounds and there was blood all over. The room looked scattered as if there had been a struggle,” he testified.

He explained that the house had been locked from inside, forcing the owner to bring a spare key after being called to the scene.

“The door was locked from inside with a padlock and there was no key. The owner had to come and open,” Cholera said.

Exhibits retrieved from Pappino apartments before court.

The officer listed several items recovered and forwarded to the Government Chemist, including a knife, blood swabs, eight syringes, four packets of tablets, used and unused condoms, and a used HIV test kit.

“We collected the exhibits and forwarded them for forensic analysis,” he told the court.

Other items recovered included two mobile phones, a blue jeans jacket, a black wig, a black cap, a handbag containing a passport, women’s clothing, and a blood-stained white towel.An empty bottle of Hunters beer was also found in the room,the beer had 40%alcohol content 

A photo of a bottle of Hunters and Accused John Matara

Cholera said the apartment owner informed investigators that the unit had been booked by John Matara, who had been referred to her by another businesswoman due to lack of vacancies elsewhere.

A watchman from a neighbouring compound reported seeing a man leaving hurriedly through the back gate.

“He saw the man leave in a hurry and alerted the caretaker. They noticed blood outside the door,” the officer testified.

The court heard that police later received information that a man linked to the incident was being treated at a South B hospital before being referred to Mbagathi Hospital. Detectives rushed there and arrested the suspect the same night.

“The suspect was arrested at Mbagathi Hospital and booked at Industrial Area Police Station,” Cholera said.

He added that CCTV footage from the area was retrieved and forwarded to DCI headquarters for imaging and analysis, while the recovered clothes and knife were also submitted for forensic examination.

On January 15, investigators escorted the accused to Mathari National Teaching and Referral Hospital for mental assessment.

Cholera, who told the court he has served in the police service for 25 years, identified the accused in court as the same person he investigated in connection with the case.