Eric Mutinda: MMU student accused of girlfriend's murder declared unfit to stand trial

A student from Multimedia University (MMU) charged with the murder of fellow student Sylvia Kemunto has been declared unfit to stand trial following a mental assessment conducted at Mathari National Teaching and Referral Hospital.

Eric Mutinda Philip, the accused, is said to be mentally unstable, according to a medical report filed under Criminal Case No: E004 of 2025.

The report indicates that Mutinda, who appeared unaccompanied by a relative for corroborative history, denied involvement in the offence but acknowledged being charged with the murder.

The psychiatrist noted that he was fairly groomed and cooperative with difficulty, but his speech was low in tone and pitch, and his history was considered unreliable.

"He is not fit to plead and recommended further corroborative history from his next of kin to complete the evaluation,” the examining doctor concluded.

Despite this report, during Monday's court mention, the judge directed the Prisons Department to take Mutinda back to Mathari Hospital for a re-evaluation and that he be accompanied by a relative.

Mutinda had earlier pleaded not guilty before undergoing the mental assessment. It was after this plea that the court ordered a psychiatric evaluation.

The court is expected to receive the updated mental report before deciding on how the case will proceed.

Mutinda, a first-year electrical engineering student at MMU, is believed to be behind the murder of Kemunto whose body was discovered on April 2 in a water tank at the rooftop of a hostel within the institution’s compound.

Kemunto, a first-year mass communications and computer science major, disappeared under mysterious circumstances on March 30.

The case will be mentioned on Friday, June 27.