When K24's crime investigator Franklin Wallah received a phone call at 3:00 am on January 4, 2024, about an incident that occurred in South B, Nairobi, he thought it would be just another day at the office.
After listening to the details of the event, he contacted the area OCPD who informed him that his detectives were headed to the scene. Moments later, Wallah visited the apartment in South B and unfolded the events that brought to light the murder of 26-year-old Starlet Wahu.
In an exclusive interview with Kenyans.co.ke, Wallah detailed the events, explaining how he pieced together a report that has since gained nationwide attention, the conversation with John Matara, the main suspect in Wahu's murder, and the sister's side of the story on the incident.
Matara's Sister
A day after Matara was released from Mbagathi Hospital and taken into custody at Industrial Area Police Station, Wallah paid a visit to the suspect and found him with his sister.
The crime journalist revealed that the sister constantly defended her brother, insisting that Matara could not commit such heinous actions.
She alleged to the police officers that her brother must have fought back in self-defence in a bid to escape from the scene. Nonetheless, she left it upon the investigators to unravel the case.
After a brief conversation with Matara's sister, the crime journalist got wind that the suspect had contacted her on the fateful night, informing her that he had been stabbed and was receiving medical treatment.
The sister, who could not visit Matara as she lived quite far, sent a friend to check up on him.
"The friend paid a visit to Matara and while checking up on him, police officers arrived at the hospital. Upon interrogation, the friend was found not to have links to Matara's actions and was later released," Wallah explained.
The journalist detailed that the sister frequented the police station several times but has since not gone back.
Conversation With Matara
While at the station, the crime investigator also conversed with the suspect to get his side of the story. According to Wallah, Matara claimed that he had been in a two-year relationship with Wahu.
On the fateful day, the duo agreed to meet at the apartment in South B. While at the apartment, Matara alleged that he received a phone call, to which Wahu became suspicious and accused him of cheating.
The suspect claimed that chaos ensued afterwards, with Wahu intending to stab him allegedly and he fought back in self-defence.
Matara's side of the story, according to Wallah, did not add up as it seems he knew what he was doing.
"It means he suffocated her with his bare hands. He strangled her and threw her on the floor unconscious. It seems he knew what he was doing as he knew where to stab so that she could not survive. If it was a reactionary fight, he could have stabbed her anywhere else such as the chest, stomach, or ribs area but he was deliberate," Wallah pointed out.
The journalist also recalled meeting Matara for the first time at Mbagathi Hospital when he was receiving treatment. Wallah, in the company of police officers, had traced the suspect using phone records.
Based on first impressions, the journalist described Matara as aggressive, as he complained that he needed to be treated first and that the investigations could wait.
Matara dared the detectives, seemingly not interested in what the officers were asking him.
“We tried to ask him about Starlet but he behaved as if he did not grasp what we were asking him,” he remarked.
Wallah has been at the forefront of the case, highlighting the crime, and interviewing alleged victims as well as the caretaker of the apartment where Matara resided in Kahawa West.
In videos aired by K24, he brought out a different angle of the Matara case as alleged victims filed reports at several police stations, claiming that Matara coerced and extorted money from them.
These victims are among those whom police officers have since requested to record statements.
On the other hand, a conversation with the caretaker revealed that Matara was fond of hosting different women in his apartment on a nightly basis.
"Apart from living a quiet life, he also loved alcohol and could be seen in the company of women who frequented his house," the caretaker informed Wallah.
Traumatic Event
The journalist described the incident as 'tragic' as he was a bit tensed at first owing to the nature of the crime scene.
"For Wahu, it touched me with the way she died. The scene had pools of blood that I have not witnessed to date. Spills of blood from the door to the curtains, walls and also a foul smell, it was such a mess," he acknowledged.
"But encountering such scenes is traumatizing especially for faint-hearted individuals. You can't imagine getting a human body in such a horrific state. You get to think this is a human being like you. That feeling of what the deceased went through as she bled her last, triggers a lot of emotions within. It is troubling."
Wallah explained that throughout his career, he had encountered multiple incidents involving gruesome murders. He highlighted seeking therapy after covering the Shakahola massacre that saw over 420 bodies unearthed from the Shakahola forest.
He called for the Media Council of Kenya (MCK) and other media organizations to provide therapy and counseling programs for journalists.
In past instances, journalists have resorted to drinking heavily to cope with the traumatic experiences they face every day as they carry out their duties. Some tend to feel overwhelmed and need to take a few days off to recover.
MCK is currently running a series of traumatic therapy sessions to assist journalists in coping with the dynamics of the work environment.
Further, the Council has provided a hotline number for journalists to reach out and access the mental wellness programs.
At the time of publishing this article, MCK was yet to respond on whether the programs are still running.
