A key witness in the ongoing murder trial of John Matara has told the court that the accused sought medical services under a false name.
Rahma Abdul Muthoni, a receptionist at South B Hospital, testified virtually before Milimani High Court Judge Alexander Muteti on Thursday, October 2, 2025. She recounted how Matara arrived at the facility on the night of January 3, 2024, bleeding heavily from his arms and legs.
Emergency Admission Under False Identity
Rahma said the accused arrived around 10 p.m., with a white blood-soaked towel tied around his leg. Doctors immediately attended to him and noted significant blood loss.
When Rahma proceeded to register his details, the accused introduced himself as Fredrick Opondo, aged 36, and provided a phone number. She further testified that he turned rude when nurses inquired about his relatives, insisting he had no wife and only a mother who lived far from Nairobi.
Conflicting Accounts
The receptionist told the court that boda boda riders brought the injured man to the hospital after reportedly finding him bleeding on the road. They said Matara had claimed he had been attacked by thieves.
The facility later referred him to Mbagathi Hospital for further treatment due to the severity of his wounds.
However, Rahma recalled that a man later visited the hospital seeking the accused and revealed that Matara had been injured after leaving an apartment bleeding — contradicting his earlier account of a robbery attack.
Trial Developments
The testimony is a significant development in the trial, as it suggests that the accused deliberately concealed his identity and gave conflicting explanations about his injuries. The case continues to draw public attention as the prosecution builds evidence surrounding the events of that night.
