The High Court in Kibera is hearing testimony in Sylvia Kemunto’s murder case.
A church administrator told the High Court in Kibera that officials kept the student’s Oppo phone safe until police collected it.
A pastor has told the High Court in Kibera that church officials found Sylvia Kemunto Ayaye’s phone among offerings. The witness gave the account during the Sylvia Kemunto trial, which concerns the Multimedia University of Kenya student’s death.
The pastor, who also serves as administrator at Jesus Is Alive Ministries, said officials discovered the Oppo phone on April 2, 2025. They found it while counting offerings and kept it safe until police arrived to collect it.
According to the witness, officers told church officials that call data placed the student’s phone within the church compound.
Sylvia Kemunto trial hears campus search account
Erick Mutinda Philip faces an accusation of killing Kemunto on March 30, 2025, at the university campus. The institution stands along Magadi Road in Lang’ata, Nairobi County.
Silas Ochieng Elphine Otieno, who headed the university’s security department, also testified about efforts to find Kemunto. He said the institution received a report of her disappearance and worked with investigators to trace her.
On April 2, 2025, a search team found a decomposing body inside a rooftop water reservoir tank at a university hostel. Police then took control of the scene. The body was identified as Kemunto’s.
Friend describes concerns about relationship
Meanwhile, Neununa Mounira Namatsi described Kemunto as a close friend and classmate. She recounted her attempts to contact Kemunto after she went missing.
Namatsi also characterised Kemunto’s relationship with the accused as toxic and alleged that Mutinda mistreated her. She told the court that Kemunto had considered moving to a hostel outside campus to avoid frequent encounters with him.
However, Namatsi said Kemunto’s mother advised her to stay at the university for the remainder of her studies.
Roommates give further testimony
Derrick Higai Luther, who shared a hostel room with the accused, also gave evidence. He described their accommodation arrangements and interactions with university security personnel during the period under investigation.
Meghan Nasserian Kihara, a former roommate of Kemunto, testified about her knowledge of the student. She also discussed information she received after the discovery of the body.
The prosecution continues to present witnesses on the circumstances surrounding Kemunto’s death. The hearing remains ongoing, and Mutinda is presumed innocent unless a court proves him guilty.
