A suspect in the murder of socialite Starlet Wahu Mwangi was Wednesday charged with rape and robbery with violence before a Ruiru Law Court.
John Matara appeared before Magistrate Charles Mwaniki and denied committing the offenses on May 16, 2023.
According to the charge sheet, Kahawa Wendani, while armed with a kitchen knife robbed the victim of Sh88,300.
It is alleged that the total money was from the robbery of Sh18,300 from Mpesa, Sh30,000 cash, a Techno Camln phone valued at Sh25,000, and a Techno Pop 2 worth Sh15,000.
Matara is also accused of taking her ID, international passport, and family bank ATM card.
The charge sheet added immediately before such robbery used actual violence to the said victim.
He is also charged with rape and sexual assault.
“John Matara Ong’oa on May 16, 2023, at Kahawa Wendani, Ruiru Sub County in Kiambu County unlawfully manipulated the legs of …. so as to cause penetration,” the charge sheet reads.
His lawyer Samuel Ayora urged the court to release him on reasonable bond terms with an option of a surety.
He based his request on the grounds that Matara has a known abode and is not a flight risk.
Ayora told the court that during his transportation from the Industrial Area where he is remanded, Matara was allegedly assaulted physically by DCI officers based at the Ruiru station.
“He suffered blows to his left ear and his testicles were pulled,” he said.
He requested that Matara be escorted to a medical facility for treatment and that the medical report be submitted to the court.
The prosecution opposed the bond request noting that Matara has another case before another court and pending investigations.
The prosecutor said there are other matters of a similar nature that are emerging and if the accused is granted bond, he will interfere with witnesses.
The prosecution asked that the court allow the accused to be escorted to Ruiru Sub County Hospital for collection of DNA.
On the issue of assault by police, the state did not oppose Matara being escorted to the hospital but said that the same should be done under tight security.
Ayora said the affidavit which the state referred to while opposing bail had not been supplied to the defence and urged the court to ignore it.
He said the accused would appear for the other matters before the other courts just as he did in the plea-taking.
He went on to say since the offense is said to have taken place in 2023, investigations ought to have been completed and added that there was no evidence warranting Matara’s detainment.
Magistrate Mwaniki directed that Matara be escorted to Ruiru Police Station to make a report on the alleged assault by police.
He also ordered that Matara be taken to the hospital for treatment and a DNA test.
The mention of whether or not he will be released on bond will be on Friday, March 8, 2024.
