Starlet Wahu murder case: Court adjourns John Matara’s defence hearing to allow him to prepare
By Zipporah Ngwatu, June 19, 2026A Milimani High Court has adjourned a defence hearing of John Matara, the prime suspect in socialite Starlet Wahu’s murder, to allow him to prepare properly before he takes the stand.
When the matter came up for defence today on Friday, June 19, 2026, Matara’s lawyers informed the court that their client needed more time to prepare for his defence.
Judge Alexander Muteti adjourned the defence hearing proceedings but told the defence team to prepare well, noting that the court will not allow another adjournment.
Matara’s lawyer told the court that they had not been supplied with typed court proceedings; thus, there was a need for adjournment to enable them to get them and prepare him before defending himself.
However, the court heard that the defence was ready to proceed with Matara’s three witnesses’ testimonies, but they also required time to get proceedings relating to several prosecution witnesses.
“My lord, we were ready to proceed, and we have consulted with our client (Matara), and we are yet to receive court proceedings of prosecution witnesses’ testimony of Isaiah Omondi, officer PC Elizabeth Njuguna, Joe Omondi and medical doctor at Mbagathi Joseph Murugu. They were not part of the typed proceedings supplied to the accused,” Matara’s lawyer told the court.
“My lord, we request this court to grant an adjournment to follow up with the court registry on the typed proceedings and supply so we can prepare before Matara can tender his defence,” the defence added.
In addition, the defence told the court that the adjournment of the hearing would not prejudice the prosecution, whose case had already been closed.
“My lord, no prejudice will be occasioned if the case is postponed on the part of the prosecution, as they have closed their case. We urge that the defence be granted this opportunity so the accused person can exercise his constitutional right for sufficient time to prepare his defence,” Matara’s lawyer told the court.
The prosecution did not oppose the application by the defence but told the court that it had not been supplied with witness statements from three defence witnesses Matara intends to call.
The defence hearing has been postponed to July 17, 2026.