Kibera Law Court has detained a University student, Erick Mutinda, for 21 days to allow police to complete investigations into the murder of Sylvia Kemunto, a fellow student at Multimedia University (MMU).
Mutinda was arrested on April 4, in Sultan Hamud after the body of Kemunto was found in a rooftop water tank.
The prosecution, while seeking the custodial order, stated that they are investigating a murder and believe the suspect may have committed the offence.
The family’s lawyer, Danstan Omari and Shadrach Wamboi told the court that the family is devastated by the loss, describing the crime as femicide — a gender-targeted killing — and warned of its broader implications for the safety of women.
“Take judicial notice that the offence is alleged to have been committed within Multimedia University, an institution where every parent sends their daughter believing it to be a safe haven,” Omari submitted.
The defense, however, opposed the prosecution’s application, arguing that Mutinda has not been formally charged and his rights should not be infringed.
The defense further noted that continued detention beyond the date of arrest, would amount to a violation of his constitutional rights.
They informed the court that the 19-year-old suspect, a student from a humble background, is willing to cooperate fully with investigations, including undergoing blood tests and the autopsy process. He is also not considered a flight risk.
Preliminary investigations revealed that both the deceased and the suspect were first-year students at MMU, pursuing Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering and Telecommunications, and Bachelor of Mathematics for Computer Science respectively. The court was also told they had been in a relationship since September 2024.
The court acknowledged the gravity of the offence, stating that a life was lost, and emphasized the importance of giving investigators adequate time to complete their work. It ruled that releasing the suspect on bail at this stage would be improper.
Mutinda will be held at Capitol Hill Police Station. The matter will be mentioned on April 28.
Meanwhile, Kemunto’s family said that they are leaving the matter to the authorities as all they want is justice .
According to the family members, the deceased was their only hope .
Lawyer Shadrach Wamboi added that if there are other people who assisted the suspect in the murder, they should also be presented before the court.
