Court temporarily declines bail review in MMU murder case over flight risk concerns

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The High Court has temporarily declined an application seeking a review of bail terms for Erick Mutinda, the accused in the murder of Multimedia University student Sylvia Kemunto, citing concerns that he may flee the country.

In a ruling delivered before Justice Diana Kavedza at the Kibera law courts, the court said the fears were anchored on earlier prosecution testimony indicating that the accused had expressed intentions to escape to Tanzania after the alleged crime.

“In the circumstances, the application for review of bail terms is temporarily declined and may be renewed on March 16, 2026,” the court ruled.

Erick Mutinda on January 26,2026/Sarah Awinja 

The decision followed testimony by a 19-year-old Multimedia University student, who told the court that on the night of April 3, 2025, Mutinda called him and confessed to killing his girlfriend.

The witness testified that the accused narrated how he allegedly strangled Sylvia Kemunto by holding her neck, packed her body into a suitcase, and removed it from his hostel room through the back door of Block E, an area fitted with CCTV cameras.

According to the witness, Mutinda asked him to keep the confession secret and mentioned plans to flee to Tanzania using his father’s car.

The witness further told the court that he had known the accused since their days at Matiliku High School, describing him as calm, friendly, bright, and popular among students on campus.

In opposing the bail review application, the prosecution argued that the accused poses a flight risk and that his release could negatively affect the victim’s family.

“Given the concerns raised on possible flight risk and the interests of the victim’s family, the application is temporarily declined and may be renewed on March 16, 2026,” Justice Kavedza stated.

While giving directions, the court noted that the concerns raised could not be ignored and ordered that the application be reconsidered on the stated date.

The accused remains in remand custody as the murder trial continues.

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