A first-year student from Multimedia University (MMU), Eric Mutinda Philip, who is facing murder charges in connection with the death of fellow student Sylvia Kemunto, has been declared mentally unfit to stand trial following a psychiatric evaluation at Mathari National Teaching and Referral Hospital.
According to a medical report filed under Criminal Case No: E004 of 2025, Mutinda was found to be mentally unstable. The assessment, conducted by a psychiatrist at Mathari, stated that Mutinda was fairly groomed and cooperative with difficulty, but his speech was low in tone and pitch. The report noted his account of events as unreliable and emphasized the need for a corroborative history from his next of kin to complete the evaluation.
Mutinda appeared in court unaccompanied by any relative, which hindered the completeness of the assessment. Despite initially pleading not guilty to the murder charges, the court ordered the psychiatric evaluation soon after his plea. During the court mention held on Monday, the presiding judge directed that the accused be returned to Mathari Hospital for a re-evaluation, this time in the company of a relative.
The court is now awaiting an updated mental report, which will inform the next steps in the legal process. The matter is scheduled for mention again on Friday, June 27, when the court will determine how to proceed based on the revised findings.
Eric Mutinda, a first-year electrical engineering student, is accused of murdering 18-year-old Sylvia Kemunto, a fellow MMU student enrolled in mass communication and computer science. Kemunto had been reported missing on March 30, and her lifeless body was later discovered on April 2 inside a water tank located on the rooftop of a hostel within the university’s compound.
The incident sent shockwaves across the MMU community, sparking concerns about student safety and mental health awareness. As investigations continue, the case remains under close watch, with both the university and legal authorities under pressure to ensure justice is served.
