Image: COURTESY
John Matara, the murder suspect accused of the brutal killing of socialite Starlet Wahu at a short-stay rental apartment in South B, Nairobi, will remain in custody for an additional seven days.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) sought an extension of custodial orders to complete investigations, and the orders were granted by Principal Magistrate Monica Kivuti of the Makadara Law Courts on Friday, January 26.
Sergeant Alex Chokera, the officer investigating the case, informed the court that he had submitted the investigations file to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) after completing investigations.
However, the ODPP pointed out some areas that needed further investigation.
Matara had been detained for 21 days, and Sgt. Chokera sought an extension of the orders to cover the areas identified by the ODPP before charging him.
Matara's lawyer, Samuel Ayora, opposed the application, claiming that his client was physically assaulted by an unknown person inside the court premises while still in police custody.
Ayora expressed concerns about Matara's safety, stating that there had been attempts to remove him from the police cells during his incarceration at the Industrial Area police station.
Ayora argued that the initial 21 days were sufficient for the DCI to complete the investigations and criticized the lack of disclosure regarding the specific areas that were incomplete.
Despite Ayora's objections, Ms. Kivuti granted the extension orders and advised him to report the assault claim and other complaints to the police for further investigation.
Investigators successfully tracked down Matara while using his mobile phone at Mbagathi hospital in Nairobi.
He was captured while receiving treatment for a stab wound, indicating a possible attempt by Wahu to defend herself.
