By Dorothy Musyoka
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) has charged Erick Mutinda Philip with the murder of 20-year-old Sylvia Kemunto Ayaye, a first-year student at the Multimedia University of Kenya.
Sylvia was pursuing a degree in Mathematics and Computer Science before her tragic death.
Appearing before the High Court in Kibera, Philip faced the charge of murder contrary to Section 203 as read with Section 204 of the Penal Code.
The prosecution alleges that on 30th March 2025, at Multimedia University, Lang’ata Sub-County, the accused, a former intimate partner of the deceased, strangled her to death following a conversation related to their recent breakup.
“It is alleged that on 30th March 2025, at the Multimedia University of Kenya, located along Magadi Road in Karen, Lang’ata Sub-County, the accused murdered the deceased, with whom he had previously been in an intimate relationship that had ended in February 2025,” stated the ODPP.
Investigations reveal that after the fatal incident in Sylvia’s hostel room, the accused placed her body in a green suitcase and moved it to his own hostel.
Days later, her body was discovered in a partially filled rooftop water reservoir, which had been sealed with a wire and stone in an apparent attempt to conceal the crime.
“Investigations reveal that the accused visited the deceased in her hostel room, where they discussed their breakup. It was during this interaction that the accused is alleged to have killed the deceased by manual strangulation. He then placed her body in a green suitcase and transported it to his hostel room,” added the ODPP.
Further evidence linked the accused to the disposal of Sylvia’s mobile phone, which he allegedly placed on the pulpit of the Jesus is Alive Ministry Church as an offering on 1st April 2025.
The SIM card had been removed and discarded prior.
A post-mortem confirmed that the deceased death was caused by asphyxia due to ligature strangulation, accompanied by a head injury caused by blunt force trauma.
The accused had reportedly fled to Tanzania but later surrendered to authorities at Sultan Hamud Police Station after persuasion from his family.
The case has been set for mention on 29th May 2025.