Forensic science has tightened the noose around murder suspect John Matara, with DNA analysis now irrefutably placing him at the scene of socialite Starlet Wahu’s brutal killing in South B.

The revelation by government analysts dismantles Matara’s defense, transforming a case of circumstantial evidence into one of biological certainty. It marks a pivotal moment in Kenya’s fight against femicide, offering hope that science will finally deliver justice for Wahu. In a courtroom often clouded by conflicting testimonies, the silent witness of DNA has spoken with devastating clarity, linking the accused directly to the heinous act that shocked the nation.

The Biological Smoking Gun

Testifying before the High Court, forensic analysts presented evidence that is likely to seal Matara’s fate. Samples collected from the crime scene—specifically semen and other biological traces found on the victim’s body and the bedding—were a perfect match for Matara’s genetic profile. This scientific link corroborates the CCTV footage that showed Matara entering the Airbnb apartment with Wahu, but it goes further: it places him in intimate, violent contact with the victim at the time of her death.

Starlet Wahu, the younger sister of Pastor Victor Kanyari, bled to death on January 3, 2024, after sustaining a severe stab wound to the thigh that severed a major artery. Matara, who was arrested hours later at Mbagathi Hospital seeking treatment for his own injuries, has consistently denied the murder. However, the forensic evidence paints a picture of a violent struggle. "The probability of this DNA belonging to anyone else is virtually non-existent," the analyst told the hushed courtroom. "It is a match."

• A Pattern of Predation: The trial has also unearthed disturbing allegations from other women who claim to have been lured and assaulted by Matara via dating apps. The DNA evidence in the Wahu case may serve as the keystone that validates these broader patterns of behavior.
• The Airbnb Crisis: Wahu's death, alongside the gruesome murder of Rita Waeni shortly after, sparked a national reckoning over the safety of short-term rentals. The forensic details emerging now serve as a grim reminder of the vulnerability of women in unregulated spaces.

A Turning Point for Femicide Cases

For too long, femicide cases in Kenya have faltered due to botched investigations or lack of concrete evidence. The Matara trial is shaping up to be different. The meticulous collection and analysis of DNA evidence signal a maturing of Kenya’s criminal justice system. It sends a chilling warning to perpetrators that they leave more than just footprints behind; they leave their identity.

As the prosecution rests its case on this bedrock of scientific fact, the family of Starlet Wahu can finally see the contours of justice emerging from the grief. Matara’s defense will now have to explain away the inexplicable, fighting against the certainty of his own biology. For Wahu, silenced by violence, her own body has provided the testimony that might finally put her killer away.