The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has opposed the release of a university student and prime suspect in the murder of a Multimedia University student.
According to DPP, the allegations come at a time when the country has recorded an increase in femicide cases leading to widespread protests back in January and December 2024.
“The DPP, through prosecuting counsel Peris Maina, persuaded the court to take judicial notice of the alarming rise in femicide cases in the country, which has triggered public outrage and debate, and deny the accused person bond.
- Multimedia University student Sylvia Kemunto was strangled to death, reveals autopsy
- Multimedia University students protest over HELB delay
Maina urged that femicide cases had culminated in widespread protests held on 27th January 2024 and 10th December 2024 across 11 counties, where demonstrators called for justice and stronger measures against the killing of women.
She stated that releasing the accused on bond could endanger the community and disturb public order, peace, and security.” said DPP
They also revealed that the suspect Erick Mutinda Philip contacted prosecution witness after the incident revealing his plans to run to Tanzania.
“The court was further informed that Erick poses a flight risk, as he allegedly fled the university premises after committing the offence and contacted a prosecution witness, expressing his intention to cross the border into Tanzania.
The DPP also noted that nine of the prosecution witnesses are students from the accused’s university, including classmates and his roommate, cautioning that there is a strong likelihood that the accused could interfere with these key witnesses if released.” said DPP
Erick is accused of murdering Sylvia Kemunto on 30th March 2025 at the premises of Multimedia University after their alleged intimate affair came to an end.
