High Court Judge Justice Alexander Muteti has ruled that John Matara has a case to answer in the January 2024 Airbnb murder of Starlet Wahu in South B, Nairobi.
Matara will now be put on his defence on June 19, 2026 alongside two defence witnesses.
The decision by Justice Muteti marks a significant turning point in one of Kenya’s most closely followed murder trials, given the rise in femicide cases witnessed in the country.
The ruling means the prosecution presented sufficient evidence before the court to require the accused person to respond formally to murder charges involving the late socialite.
While Matara has not been declared guilty by the court, the ruling acknowledges that the evidence presented by the prosecution meets the legal threshold necessary for the trial to commence to the defence stage.
As was seen in the case of Republic v. Kiilu Nduva & 5 Others, (2020), the High Court of Kenya determined that the prosecution had established a prima facie case of murder against the accused, necessitating their defence.
The case underscores the evidentiary requirements in criminal law and the role of witness testimony in establishing guilt. The decision has implications for future cases regarding standards of proof and the burden of establishing a prima facie case in murder trials.
According to Section 306(2) of the Criminal Procedure Code (CAP 75), “If the court finds there is sufficient evidence connecting the accused to the offence, the accused is put on his defence” Under Section 306(2) of the Criminal Procedure Code, “ a case to answer” ruling reaffirms that the prosecution established a strong prima facie case, one that is strong enough that should it be left unanswered, could justify a conviction (Note: “case to answer” is a judicial interpretation rather than statutory wording).
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Wahu’s murder in January 2024 shocked the entire nation as the circumstances surrounding her death were unclear. The murder sparked debates about urban insecurity, digital accommodation safety and violence against young women since the incident occurred inside a rented Airbnb in South B, Nairobi.
Over the course of the proceedings, the prosecutors presented witness testimony, forensic findings and investigative evidence aimed at linking Matara directly to the said murder offence.
Justice Muteti’s ruling now shifts the evidential burden towards the defence, which will allow the accused the opportunity to challenge the prosecution’s evidence and raise reasonable doubts before the court delivers its verdict.
When the highly anticipated trial resumes on June 19, 2026, Matara’s advocates will submit his defence alongside the witnesses, after which both the prosecution and the defence will make their submissions to the court.
The court will then assess all the essential evidence presented before it during the entire trial process before Justice Muteti delivering a judgement that could acquit or convict Matara.
The outcome of the case is expected to have broader implications in conversations around criminal investigations, Airbnb security, urban insecurity and handling the rising cases of young women killed in unclear circumstances as witnessed lately in the country.
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