A Multimedia University student 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, who is facing charges under Criminal Case No: E004 of 2025, was found to be mentally unstable according to a medical report submitted in court. The psychiatrist stated that Mutinda denied committing the offence but acknowledged being charged with the murder.

The report also noted that Mutinda was “fairly groomed and cooperative with difficulty,” but his speech was low in tone and pitch, and the history he provided was 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.

During a court mention on Monday, the judge directed the Prisons Department to return Mutinda to Mathari Hospital for a re-evaluation, and that he be accompanied by a relative to aid the psychiatric review.

Mutinda had earlier pleaded not guilty before the court ordered the mental evaluation. The updated mental report is expected to guide the court on how the case will proceed.

Mutinda, a first-year electrical engineering student, is accused of killing Kemunto, a mass communication and computer science student, whose body was found on April 2 inside a water tank on the rooftop of a hostel within the university compound.

Kemunto had been reported missing on March 30 under unclear circumstances.

The case will be mentioned again on Friday, June 27.