In a tragic case that has shocked the nation, the family of Sylvia Kemunto, a first-year student at Multimedia University (MMU), has refuted claims that she was in a romantic relationship with Erick Mutinda, the prime suspect in her murder. Sylvia’s lifeless body was discovered stuffed in a suitcase inside a rooftop water tank at a university hostel in Rongai.
Plans to Escape Harassment Cut Short
According to Sylvia’s family, they had decided to move her out of the university hostel after she repeatedly complained of harassment by Mutinda, a fellow student. Speaking after a court session on Monday, the family revealed that Sylvia had been receiving unwanted attention and persistent advances from Mutinda, which she had rejected.
In a heart-wrenching twist, Sylvia’s mother disclosed that she had recently purchased a suitcase for her daughter to pack her belongings and leave the hostel for good. “I never thought the same suitcase would be used to carry her lifeless body,” she said tearfully.
The Day of the Incident
On the fateful day, Sylvia was supposed to pack her items and return home to Kawangware, where she had decided to commute to campus to avoid further interactions with Mutinda. Tragically, her plans were cut short when her body was discovered in the water tank, sparking a police investigation that has gripped the public’s attention.
Investigations and Legal Proceedings
Preliminary investigations presented in court indicate that both Sylvia and Mutinda were first-year students. While Mutinda was pursuing a degree in Electrical Engineering and Telecommunications, Sylvia was studying Mathematics for Computer Science. Police initially suggested the two had been in a romantic relationship since September 2024, a claim the family strongly disputes.
Investigators are focusing on the timeline of events and the nature of interactions between the victim and the suspect. The family insists that the alleged relationship was a fabrication, pointing to Sylvia’s complaints of harassment as the root cause of the conflict.
Justice for Sylvia
Sylvia was due to sit for her exams this week, a milestone she will never achieve. Her family is calling for swift justice, urging authorities to thoroughly investigate the circumstances leading to her tragic death.
The case has reignited conversations about the safety of students in shared living environments and the need for robust measures to address harassment and violence on university campuses.
