- In the application opposing the release, Sergeant Alex Chokera of DCI Makadara explained in an affidavit that the events leading to Matara and Wahu's meeting at South B.
- According to Chokera, the two met at a dating site "Bed Escorts" before agreeing to meet personally and the subsequent murder of the deceased.
Image: FILE
John Matara who has been charged with the murder of socialite Starlet Wahu will remain in custody until March 18, when his application for release on bail and bond terms will be heard.
Justice Kanyi Kimondo of the High Court in Nairobi set the date after Matara's lawyer Samuel Ayora said he needed time to prepare since the state served him its application to oppose the bail and bond for his client late.
Matara is requesting to be released from custody pending a hearing and determination of the case.
He was on February 2, charged with killing Wahu at a short-stay rental apartment in South B, Nairobi, on January 4.
He denied the charge before Kimondo.
The Judge remanded him at the Nairobi Area Remand and allocation Prison in the Industrial Area pending a bail application hearing.
He will remain there awaiting the same.
In the application opposing the release, an affidavit by Sergeant Alex Chokera of DCI Makadara explains the events leading to Matara and Wahu's meeting at South B.
According to Chokera, the two met at a dating site "Bed Escorts" before agreeing to meet personally and the subsequent murder of the deceased.
Revealing reasons for opposing the application for release, the officer said after the discovery of Wahu's body, the owner of the apartments expressed fear for her life.
"I am therefore apprehensive that the accused is likely to use the said telephone number to threaten, intimidate and or coerce the said prosecution witness not to give evidence in the matter," he stated in the affidavit.
He also stated that Matara might be a flight risk and his release might also risk him interfering with investigations into other allegations from other women who claim to have encountered him in Airbnbs.
The affidavit states five such incidents have been recorded in OB entry records at various police stations in Industrial Area, Kasarani, Kahawa West and Kiwanja.
Chokera refuted Matara's statement that he had a fixed abode saying his tenancy at an apartment in Kahawa West was terminated following his arrest in January.
Matara had, in an affidavit supporting the notice of motion by Ayora said that he had an apartment at Kahawa West and a permanent home in Kisii with his parents.
Requesting for the release, he added that his father is willing to stand in as his surety.
He further assured that if he was released, he would not interfere with witnesses in the case.
Pointing out that since the case is taking place in Nairobi, the state can protect the witnesses if the need arises, he however added;
"I know the consequences of moving witnesses to a witness box, cost implication and interference of their daily free life caused by such placement because of failure on my part to be a law-abiding citizen hence such proposal will be unnecessary."
The accused told the court that he would adhere to the directives issued as a pre-condition for the security of his freedom.
In the motion, Ayora pointed out that his client is presumed innocent until proven guilty in the eyes of the law.
When the parties appeared before Justice Kimondo for a mention on Monday, he directed the motion to be served to Wahu's lawyer who is at liberty to respond within seven days.
The defence is expected to reply to the DPP's affidavit within seven days.
The Judge noted that the court has not received the probation report and directed that it be furnished to the high court as earlier ordered.