A Kibera Law Court has ordered the detention of Erick Mutinda, a university student, for 21 days to allow police to complete investigations into the death of 20-year-old Sylvia Kemunto, a fellow first-year student at Multimedia University (MMU).
Mutinda, 19, was arrested on April 4 in Sultan Hamud, Makueni County, after reportedly fleeing the university premises following Kemunto’s death. Her body was later discovered stashed inside a rooftop water tank, sparking public outrage and prompting a police manhunt that led to Mutinda’s surrender.
During the court session, the prosecution requested custodial orders to detain the suspect, asserting that investigations into the alleged murder are ongoing and that there is strong reason to believe Mutinda may have committed the offence.
Appearing for the Kemunto family, lawyers Danstan Omari and Shadrach Wamboi described the incident as a brutal case of femicide — a gender-motivated killing — and expressed concern about the increasing threat to women’s safety in educational institutions.
“This is not just about Sylvia,” said Omari. “This is about all the girls who are unsafe in places they should feel protected. It’s a femicide, and society must address it.”
The defence opposed the prosecution’s application, arguing that Mutinda had not been formally charged with any offence and that extended detention would infringe on his constitutional rights. They further emphasized that the accused is from a humble background, is willing to cooperate with investigators, and poses no flight risk.
“The suspect has no history of evading justice and has volunteered to undergo blood sampling and to participate in the autopsy process,” the defence stated.
The court heard that Mutinda and Kemunto, both first-year students, had been in a relationship since September 2024. Kemunto was studying Mass Communication and Computer Science, while Mutinda is pursuing a degree in Electrical and Telecommunication Engineering.
In delivering the ruling, the court underscored the gravity of the offence and the need for a thorough investigation, stating, “A life was lost. It would be improper to release the suspect at this stage before conclusive investigations are done.”
Mutinda will be held at Capitol Hill Police Station until April 28, when the matter will be mentioned again in court.
