A first-year student from Multimedia University (MMU) has confessed to killing fellow student Sylvia Kemunto, 20, in a tragic incident that has shocked the nation. The suspect, who is pursuing a degree in Electrical Engineering, told police that the altercation turned fatal during a visit to Kemunto’s room on March 30.
According to investigators, the suspect said he had gone to visit Kemunto, a first-year student pursuing Mass Communication and Computer Science, knowing she would be alone. He told police that he had been trying to seduce her, but she resisted. When he attempted to touch her, a confrontation ensued.
“The fight turned fatal. He panicked, dumped the body in the tank, and fled,” said a police officer involved in the investigation.
In his confession, the suspect told detectives, “I hit and pushed her, causing her to hit her head on the wall and collapse.” He claimed that he realized she was dead minutes later.
Overwhelmed with panic, he allegedly folded her body into a large suitcase, took it to his room briefly, then moved it to a rooftop water tank, which was in use at the time. To conceal the crime, he tied the tank shut with wire and placed a heavy stone on top to prevent any detection.
After the incident, the suspect fled to his rural home and remained on the run until April 3, when he surrendered at Sultan Hamud police station in Makueni County. Police believe Kemunto was killed in her room and her body was dragged to the rooftop.
The suspect is expected to appear in court on Monday, April 7, as detectives seek to detain him further for investigations. A post-mortem is yet to be conducted to establish the exact cause of death.
The horrifying revelation that Kemunto’s body was hidden in a water tank actively being used by students has sparked public outrage, with many calling for enhanced campus security, awareness on gender-based violence, and support systems for students.
Authorities have said investigations are ongoing, and they will be exploring whether the act was premeditated, as well as the timeline of events leading to Kemunto’s death.
