Starlet Wahu murder suspect causes scene in court over handcuffs
By Zipporah Ngwatu, July 30, 2025The prime suspect in the brutal murder of socialite Starlet Wahu, John Matara, caused a scene at the Milimani High Court, protesting being handcuffed while in the dock.
Matara, while raising his hands in handcuffs, interrupted Justice Alexander Muteti as he was starting the proceedings, asking if it was fair for his case to proceed while he was still handcuffed.
“Is it right for the proceedings to continue when I am still cuffed?” Matara told the court.
Justice Muteti directed the prison officers to immediately uncuff him.
Matara then proceeded to inform the court that he had been intimidated and threatened, stating that this was the reason he remained cuffed in the dock.
“Your honour, I have been intimidated and threatened — that is why I am still cuffed by these rogue officers,” Matara stated.
This prompted Justice Muteti to ask him why he referred to the police as rogue. “Why do you call them rogue?” Justice Muteti asked.
The accused then told the court that the police had been extorting money from his family in exchange for access to him.
“They have been extorting money from my family so that they can see me when we come down there,” Matara told the court.
Justice Muteti then asked the accused to inform the court how much the family had been extorted.
In response, Matara said that his family had records of the same on their phones.
The judge then asked the accused whether he had informed his lawyers about the matter he had just raised in court.
Matara informed the court that he had only learned about the ordeal that same day — Wednesday, July 30, 2025 — when he came for the hearing, adding that this was why he was still cuffed in the dock.
He also said that the same police officers had promised him they would not uncuff him in court — a threat they fulfilled.
“I have just realized today, so that is why I am still cuffed. They told me they are not going to uncuff me,” Matara told the court.
After he was uncuffed, Judge Muteti asked the accused whether he was okay.
Matara responded, “I am quite okay, we can proceed.”
The court then told the accused’s lawyer to discuss the matter raised by their client, noting that it touched on human rights and directing them to file a formal complaint.
“Mr. Buchere, your client has some issues that I think you need to have a discussion with him about, which would be a matter touching on human rights. So that is up to you to file it formally in court,” Justice Muteti directed.