The Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP) has requested additional time to facilitate a second mental assessment for Erick Mutinda Philip, a student at Multimedia University accused of murdering fellow student Sylvia Kemunto. The DPP explained to the court that the report for the second evaluation is not yet ready, citing logistical constraints in the prison system that require a minimum of two weeks for booking such assessments.
The prosecutor informed the Kibera High Court that an officer at Nairobi Remand Centre confirmed the accused is scheduled for booking at Mathari Hospital on Monday, June 30, 2025. The need for a second assessment follows an earlier mental evaluation which found Mutinda unfit to stand trial.
Meanwhile, the defense counsel representing Mutinda requested the court to allow the filing of submissions on whether the accused could be granted bail ahead of the second mental assessment. The request was granted, with the court directing the defense to submit written arguments by June 30, 2025. The legal representatives of the victim and the DPP were given seven days thereafter to file their responses.
During the session, the defense highlighted the accused’s humble background and appealed for bail to be set at Ksh100,000. The lawyer emphasized that Mutinda’s family has faced considerable hostility since the incident came to light, and raising the proposed bail amount would be challenging.
Mutinda faces a murder charge in connection with the death of Sylvia Kemunto, who was allegedly strangled on the night of March 30, 2025. Although he was formally charged on April 29, 2025, he pleaded not guilty. The court is currently awaiting the second psychiatric evaluation to determine if he is mentally fit to stand trial.
The case is set to be mentioned again on July 7, 2025, when further directions are expected from the court, depending on the progress of the mental assessment and the submissions filed by the involved parties.
