The High Court in Nairobi was enveloped in a sombre silence today as the prosecution laid bare the final, terrifying moments of Sylvia Kemunto, the Multimedia University student found murdered and stuffed in a water tank in 2025.

Emotions ran high as a protected witness took the stand, recounting a chilling phone call from the prime suspect, Eric Philip Mutinda. "He told me he had strangled Sylvia by the neck," the witness testified, their voice trembling. "He said he stuffed her body into a suitcase and hid it." This damning testimony places the accused directly at the scene of the crime, dismantling his initial defence of innocence.

"Requires God's Grace"

Presiding Judge Lady Justice Diana Kavedza was forced to intervene as the courtroom atmosphere became thick with grief. "Handling murder cases requires God's grace," she remarked, acknowledging the trauma inflicted on the families present. "We see photos, we confront death every day. The court must contain the emotions."

• A Mother’s Pain: The most heart-wrenching testimony came from Kemunto’s mother, Triza Kwamboka. She broke down while recounting her frantic search for her daughter, which ended with the discovery of the body in the hostel’s rooftop tank. "I sent her upkeep money, but she didn't pick up," she wept.
• The Motive: The prosecution alleges that Mutinda, an engineering student, killed Kemunto after she rejected his romantic advances. This narrative of "femicide" strikes a raw nerve in a country grappling with a surge in violence against women.
• The Roommate's Account: Kemunto’s roommate described returning to a room in disarray—wet clothes scattered, a broken electric kettle, and a disturbed bed—signs of a violent struggle that went unheard in the hostel corridors.

Justice Delayed?

As the trial proceeds, the focus is now on the forensic evidence corroborating the confession. For the MMU community and the family of Sylvia Kemunto, the wheels of justice are turning, but the horror of her death remains a fresh wound. The case continues, with the defence expected to cross-examine the witness on the validity of the confession.