Eric Mutinda Philip, a 19-year-old telecommunications student at Multimedia University of Kenya (MMU), has been ordered to undergo a mental health evaluation as part of his ongoing murder trial. He stands accused of the gruesome killing of fellow student Sylvia Kemunto, whose body was discovered in a rooftop water tank on campus in late March.
The directive, issued by Justice Diana Kavenza at the Kibera High Court, follows a formal plea of not guilty by Mutinda on April 29, 2025. The court mandated that the accused be remanded to Nairobi Remand Prison for 30 days while undergoing a psychiatric assessment at Mbagathi Hospital. A probation officer’s report was also ordered to assist the court in determining his mental fitness and suitability for bail.
Sylvia Kemunto, also a student at MMU, was reported missing before her body was discovered on March 30. According to post-mortem results, she died from strangulation and blunt-force trauma, contradicting early speculation of accidental drowning or suicide.
Investigators believe the murder occurred in Sylvia’s hostel room, after which her body was wrapped in a bedsheet and hidden in a tank. The case sparked national outrage and protests across university campuses, with students demanding justice and improved campus security.
Mutinda, the prime suspect, reportedly fled to Sultan Hamud, Machakos County, following the murder. He later surrendered to police on April 10 and was taken into custody. During police interrogations, he admitted to taking Sylvia’s phone and donating it to a church in Kitengela, where it was later recovered.
During his court appearance, Mutinda’s defense team argued that their client was not a flight risk. They emphasized that he voluntarily surrendered, does not hold a passport, and had cooperated fully with investigators. The defense sought bail set at KSh 100,000.
However, the prosecution, along with lawyers representing the victim’s family—led by Danstan Omari and Sam Nyaberi—strongly opposed any release on bond. Teresa Kwamboka, Sylvia’s mother, delivered a heartfelt statement in court, urging the judge to deny bail. She described her daughter’s dreams and how the accused had allegedly manipulated and then murdered her, concealing the body in a bag Kwamboka had once gifted her.
“The pain is unbearable,” Kwamboka said. “If he’s released, I fear he will disappear. My daughter deserves justice.”
The court ordered both parties to file affidavits on the bail issue and scheduled the next mention of the case for May 29, 2025.
The psychiatric evaluation will determine whether Mutinda is mentally competent to stand trial. Under Kenyan law, all accused persons are presumed sane unless proven otherwise, but courts must ensure that a suspect is capable of understanding the nature of the charges and participating in their defense.
Mutinda’s legal team expressed concern over the delay in facilitating the evaluation and urged the State to expedite the process. The findings will be critical in determining whether the trial can proceed or if special measures are necessary.
