Eric Mutinda Declared Fit to Stand Trial in Sylvia Kemunto Murder Case
A significant development has unfolded in the high-profile murder case of Sylvia Kemunto, a Multimedia University (MMU) student, as Mbagathi Hospital declared the prime suspect, Eric Mutinda, mentally fit to stand trial. The announcement, made during a court session at the Kibera High Court, marks a pivotal moment in a case that has gripped the nation and sparked widespread discussions on campus safety and femicide in Kenya.
Eric Mutinda, a 19-year-old first-year electrical engineering student at MMU, faces charges for the murder of his ex-girlfriend, Sylvia Kemunto, a 20-year-old first-year student majoring in mass communications and computer science. The tragic incident occurred in late March 2025, when Kemunto was reported missing from the university campus. Her decomposing body was discovered on April 2, 2025, inside a water tank on the rooftop of a hostel within the MMU compound, sending shockwaves through the university community and beyond.
The case began with a grim sequence of events. Kemunto disappeared on March 30, 2025, after last being seen with Mutinda in her hostel room. Her mother, Triza Kwamboka, grew concerned when she could not reach her daughter to confirm receipt of upkeep money sent through a church elder's phone. Kwamboka traveled to the university, only to learn that Kemunto had vanished. A search initiated by the university's security team, prompted by a foul smell from Block E, led to the discovery of Kemunto's body three days later. A postmortem examination conducted by government pathologist Johansen Oduor revealed that Kemunto died from strangulation, with additional blunt-force trauma to the head and defensive wounds indicating she fought back against her attacker.
Investigations pointed to Mutinda as the prime suspect. Reports indicate that the couple had been in a romantic relationship that soured, leading to a confrontation. Mutinda allegedly confessed to police that after Kemunto resisted his advances, he pushed her, causing her to hit her head against a wall. He reportedly strangled her with a hoodie drawstring, hid her body in a green suitcase, and transported it to his room before disposing of it in the water tank. In a bizarre twist, Mutinda admitted to confiscating Kemunto's phone, offering it to a Nairobi church as a donation, and discarding her SIM card on campus. Detectives later recovered the phone, marking a significant breakthrough in the investigation.
Mutinda surrendered to authorities at Sultan Hamud Police Station in Makueni County on April 4, 2025, accompanied by his parents after intense discussions. He was arraigned on April 7, 2025, and detained for 21 days to allow police to complete their investigations. On April 29, 2025, Mutinda pleaded not guilty before Justice Diana Kavedza at the Kibera High Court. The court ordered a psychiatric evaluation at Mbagathi Hospital to assess his mental fitness to stand trial, and he was remanded at Nairobi Remand Prison. Emotions ran high during the session, with Kwamboka breaking down in tears upon seeing Mutinda in the dock, prompting a brief pause in proceedings as family and friends consoled her.
Initial psychiatric assessments conducted at Mathari National Teaching and Referral Hospital in June 2025 declared Mutinda mentally unfit to stand trial. The report described him as fairly groomed but cooperative with difficulty, noting his low-tone speech and unreliable account of events. He denied committing the murder but acknowledged the charges against him. The absence of a family member during the evaluation hindered a complete assessment, leading Justice Kavedza to order a second evaluation at Mathari Hospital with a relative present. However, the latest assessment from Mbagathi Hospital, presented on July 23, 2025, reversed the earlier finding, confirming that Mutinda fully understands the charges and is mentally capable of standing trial.
Justice Kavedza denied Mutinda bond on July 21, 2025, citing concerns about his safety and that of the community. The court noted the lack of a structured medical psychiatric framework to support Mutinda if released, as his family provided no details about a care plan for his mental health. The judge emphasized that releasing Mutinda without assurance of supervision would be irresponsible, given the severity of the charges. Mutinda will remain in police custody until July 28, 2025, when plea-taking is scheduled, and the court will provide further directions on the trial.
The prosecution is expected to present forensic evidence, witness testimonies, and surveillance footage to build its case against Mutinda, who faces a possible life sentence if convicted. Kemunto's family, represented by lawyers Danstan Omari and Shadrack Wamboi, has been vocal in demanding justice, framing the incident as a case of femicide. They have called for Multimedia University to accept liability for failing to ensure student safety and have opposed any bail application, arguing that Mutinda poses a flight risk and could intimidate witnesses, many of whom are MMU students.
The case has sparked outrage and sympathy across Kenya, with many expressing solidarity with Kemunto's family. Online reactions have highlighted the emotional toll on Kwamboka, with some calling for transparency and others speculating about external influences on Mutinda's actions. The trial, set to commence in the coming weeks, is expected to be closely watched as it addresses broader issues of gender-based violence and institutional accountability. Kemunto was laid to rest on April 18, 2025, in her home village of Chironge, Kisii County, leaving behind a grieving family and a community seeking answers.