Eric Mutinda, MMU Student Accused of Girlfriend's Murder, Declared Unfit to Stand Trial

Eric Mutinda, a first-year Electrical and Telecommunications Engineering student at the Multimedia University of Kenya (MMU), has been declared unfit to stand trial following the brutal killing of his girlfriend, Sylvia Kemunto. The decision came after a psychiatric evaluation ordered by the court raised questions about his mental fitness, stalling proceedings in a case that has gripped national attention.

The incident dates back to March 30, 2025, when Sylvia’s body was discovered stuffed inside a rooftop water tank at a student hostel in Rongai. She had been reported missing for several days. A post-mortem report later confirmed that she died from strangulation and blunt force trauma, ruling out any accidental cause. Prosecutors allege that Mutinda packed her body in a suitcase, transported it to the rooftop of his hostel, and disposed of it in the water tank in an attempt to cover up the crime.

After pleading not guilty, Mutinda was remanded in custody at Nairobi Remand Prison pending further mental assessment at Mbagathi Hospital. The prosecution has strongly opposed his release on bail, citing the risk of flight, potential interference with witnesses, and the gravity of the crime. The Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has also referenced growing national concern over cases of gender-based violence and femicide, arguing that granting bail in such a case could undermine public confidence in the justice system.

The court has scheduled the next hearings for June 23–24 and July 21–22, 2025, when the prosecution is expected to present up to 19 witnesses. The defence team has been granted a week to respond to the DPP’s objections to bail, after which a decision on bond will be made. As the legal process continues, the case remains a chilling reminder of the urgency to address violence in relationships and ensure justice for victims.