Philip Eric Mutinda, a first-year Electrical Engineering student at Multimedia University (MMU), has been formally charged with the murder of fellow student Sylvia Kemunto. He appeared before High Court Judge Diana Kavedza in Kibera on Thursday, where he denied the charge.
Kemunto’s body was discovered on the night of April 2, 2025, inside a water tank on the rooftop of a hostel within the MMU campus. Investigators believe Mutinda strangled her during a confrontation about their recent breakup, stuffed her body into a green suitcase, and moved it to his hostel before dumping it in the water reservoir. A post-mortem confirmed she died from strangulation and blunt force trauma to the head.
The prosecution, led by counsel Peris Maina, opposed Mutinda’s release on bond, warning that he poses a flight risk. Maina told the court that after the alleged crime, Mutinda fled the university and even contacted a witness to express plans to cross the border into Tanzania. She argued that releasing him could endanger public safety and disrupt peace, especially given the rising cases of femicide in Kenya.
Maina cited mass protests held on December 10, 2024, and January 27, 2025, in at least 11 counties, where demonstrators demanded justice for murdered women and tougher measures against gender-based violence. She further noted that nine of the prosecution’s witnesses are MMU students, including Mutinda’s roommate and classmates, and warned that the accused could interfere with the ongoing investigations if released.
The prosecution intends to rely on 19 witnesses to build its case.
The court directed the accused, through his defence lawyer, to file a replying affidavit in response to the DPP’s objection to bond within seven days. The judge will issue a ruling on the bond application thereafter.
In the meantime, Justice Kavedza scheduled four hearing dates, June 23 and 24, and two additional dates yet to be confirmed, as the trial moves forward.
