Kenyan Newspapers Review: Another Victim Of John Matara Claims He Burned Her Using Iron Box

On Monday, January 8, the national dailies widely reported on claims that John Matara is a serial offender targeting women.

The publication also reported on the move by anti-riot police to disrupt a birthday party for ODM leader Raila Odinga.

1. Daily Nation

The publication reported on the ongoing investigations regarding the gruesome murder of socialite Starlet Wahu.

More women have come out to narrate their ordeals at the hands of John Matara, the man alleged to have killed Wahu at an Airbnb in Nairobi.

The prime suspect in the murder of a city socialite had, on December 29, 2023, locked up another woman in a room and assaulted her as he forced her to raise KSh 50,000 before he could release her.

Just like in the case of socialite Scarlet Wahu Mwangi, who was found dead last week, Matara demanded that they undertake an HIV test.

Matara allegedly changed abruptly and demanded that she jump out of bed. He then asked her to strip naked. She said that he then tied her legs and hands using a rope and started assaulting her as he demanded that she raise KSh 50,000.

“He started beating me as he demanded that I make calls to friends and relatives with the aim of raising the money. He even demanded to take a look at my M-Pesa transactions and took the mobile numbers of anyone who had sent me a large amount of money. He has long fingernails, which he used to pinch me on the neck. To date, it is very difficult for me to swallow food,” the woman said.

2. The Standard

Meru governor Kawira Mwangaza called on the Directorate of Criminal Investigations not to be biassed in the investigations into the murder of blogger Benard Muthiani, alias Sniper.

While dismissing reports linking her son to the murder, the governor said justice should prevail in the murder of Muthiani.

Commenting on claims of her official residence being a crime scene, Mwangaza said DCI should question the police officers manning her residence.

“The first people who should be questioned are the police on the day and night shift because they are stationed there. We want transparency in the ongoing investigations. If someone is arrested, we want to know why, and it should be based on evidence,” Mwangza said.

According to the embattled governor, the official governor's residence is under the watch of the police around the clock.

“The residence is guarded by the police the whole day because it is state property. There is a book at the gate which the police use. I want to appeal to the investigators, do not be biased," she added.

3. Taifa Leo

The Kiswahili publication reported on the fracas witnessed after anti-riot police officers disrupted a party organised to celebrate ODM leader Raila Odinga's 79th birthday.

In a video shared by Senator Edwin Sifuna, the group had cake on a table with pictures of Raila just next to the statue of Tom Mboya.

Moments before the group cut the cake, the police arrived and started looping tear gas canisters.

Opposition leaders condemned the action by the police, with Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka saying the Kenya Kwanza government was scared.

"Our supporters were tear-gassed for celebrating Baba's birthday. Why would someone teargas a birthday cake? Maybe someone wants to stop the start of a revolution," Kalonzo said.

4. The Star

The publication reported the continued onslaught by politicians allied to President William Ruto against the Judiciary.

The head of state maintained that he would not keep quiet as courts put his development plans on hold.

“How do you expect me to be quiet when a few people are rushing to the courts to stop plans to create job opportunities for Kenyans,” Ruto said on Sunday, January 7.

Ruto's allies declared their intention to push for radical surgery in the judiciary to eliminate judicial officers who allegedly collaborate with government critics to obstruct crucial projects.