Sylvia Kemunto murder case: DPP requests more time for accused’s second mental assessment
By Zipporah Ngwatu, June 27, 2025The Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP) has requested the court to grant them more days to be able to avail Multimedia University student Erick Mutinda Philip for a second mental assessment in connection with the murder of his fellow student, Sylvia Kemunto.
Appearing before Kibera High Court Judge Diana Rachel Kavedza, the DPP, through Prosecutor Peris Main, told the court that the report for the second assessment is not yet ready, insisting that the prisons need a minimum of two weeks for booking of the assessment.
“We sought another mental assessment to be done, my Lady, we have indicated that ordinarily prisons need a minimum of two weeks so that booking can be done. We were in court five days ago, and therefore, my lady, unfortunately, the report is not ready,” Prosecutor Maina told the court.
She further informed the court that she talked to one officer at the Nairobi Remand by the name of Titus, who informed her that the accused would be taken for booking of the assessment at the Mathari Hospital on Monday, June 30, 2025.
Request for bail
Meanwhile, Lawyer Johnstone Daniel Jnr, representing the accused, requested the court to allow submissions on whether he can be released on bail pending his second mental assessment.
Justice Kavedza agreed with his request and directed him to file his written submissions by June 30, 2025, and lawyer Danstan Omari representing the victim and the DPP to file theirs in seven days.
“Lawyer Johnstone to file and serve written submissions by close of business on Monday, June 30, 2025, lawyer Danstan Omari for the victim and Miss Maina for the State to file their submissions in seven days,” Judge Kavedza directed.
The first mental assessment of the accused indicated that he was not fit to stand trial for the murder of his fellow student.
Mutinda was accused of killing Kemunto on the night of March 30, 2025, by strangling her, as confirmed by the post-mortem report.
However, on April 29, 2025, he denied the charge of murdering his fellow student.
The accused lawyer urged the court to grant his client bail of Ksh100,000, arguing that he comes from a poor background.
He also informed the court that the accused family has been facing hostility since the matter was exposed, adding that even raising the amount to bail the accused is strenuous.
The matter will be mentioned on July 7, 2025, for further directions.