Erick Mutinda, a 19-year-old first-year student at Multimedia University, has been detained for 21 days as police continue investigations into the alleged murder of his ex-girlfriend, Sylvia Kemunto, who was also a student at the same institution.
Kibera Magistrate Zainab Abdul granted the state’s request to hold the suspect in custody, allowing authorities more time to complete their inquiries. The prosecution argued that the extended detention was necessary due to the seriousness of the allegations.
Mutinda reportedly surrendered to police on April 4 at Sultan Hamud after being on the run for several days. The prosecution informed the court that the case is being treated as a homicide and that they suspect Mutinda’s involvement in the crime.
Speaking on behalf of the victim’s family, lawyer Danstan Omari described the incident as a clear case of femicide—a gender-based crime that he warned poses a growing threat to women. Omari urged the court to recognize the gravity of the alleged crime, which took place within a university that parents trust to be a safe environment for their daughters.
The defense, however, opposed the prosecution’s request for continued detention, arguing that Mutinda has not yet been formally charged. His lawyer claimed that holding him beyond the arrest date—last Friday—would infringe upon his constitutional rights.
According to court documents, both the suspect and the victim were first-year students, pursuing degrees in Electrical Engineering and Telecommunications, and Mathematics for Computer Science, respectively. Their relationship reportedly began in September 2024, but Kemunto is said to have ended it in February 2025. Despite the breakup, Mutinda allegedly continued to harass her up until her death.
In her ruling, Magistrate Abdul stated that while liberty is a fundamental right, it must be balanced with the interests of justice. She concluded that continued detention was reasonable under the circumstances to ensure the investigations are completed.
