Sylvia Kemunto’s Family to Sue Multimedia University after Postmortem Results: “Let Justice Be Done”
- A postmortem confirmed Sylvia Kemunto, a Multimedia University student, was found dead in a water tank after being reported missing, died from strangulation
- Pathologist Johansen Oduor revealed she had multiple injuries, including blunt force trauma and defensive wounds, indicating she fought back
- Her family, represented by lawyer Danstan Omari, revealed plans to sue the university for negligence
- Kemunto’s family is demanding justice, calling on the government to hold the university accountable for lapses in security and student protection
Didacus Malowa, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.
Nairobi - The family of Sylvia Kemunto, the Multimedia University student whose lifeless body was retrieved from a water tank, has vowed to pursue legal action against the institution.
Source: Facebook
Kemunto's family revealed their plans to seek legal redress, accusing it of failing to protect her while she was under its care.
How did Kemunto die
Sylvia, a 20-year-old first-year student, was reported missing before her body was discovered on Sunday, March 30, sparking fresh conversations around femicide in Kenya.
A postmortem conducted by Chief Government Pathologist Johansen Oduor confirmed the cause of death as strangulation, with evidence of blunt force trauma.
Oduor, who led the postmortem at Montezuma Monalisa Funeral Home, revealed disturbing findings that painted a grim picture of Sylvia’s final moments.
"Sylvia had multiple injuries, which were caused by blunt objects. There were injuries on the head and on the limbs; upper and lower limbs. Apart from that, there was evidence of strangulation.
We saw injuries in the neck, which we see in people who have been strangled. She also had what is called cyanosis, someone who was not having oxygen at the time of death. So with this, we conclude that what led to the death of Sylvia was strangulation," he said.
Oduor added that defensive injuries on her arms indicated that Sylvia fought back during the attack. The family’s private doctor, Martha Mwangi, supported these findings.
He also dismissed rumours that Kemunto was pregnant at the time of her death, stating there was no evidence of pregnancy upon examination of her reproductive system.
Kemunto's family threatens legal action
In response to the harrowing revelations, the family has retained prominent lawyer Danstan Omari, who said they would sue Multimedia University for negligence.
Source: Original
Omari further demanded accountability from the university over why such vital infrastructure like water tanks were left unsecured, allowing for the disposal of a body undetected.
"What is the role of the university in protecting girls who are in the dormitories or the hostels that are owned by the university? Two, where were the security apparatus of the university? Because this is a hostel within the university, we shall be moving with speed to get the university being part and parcel of this issue," Omari declared.
Peter Mogeni, Kemunto’s uncle, said the family was heartbroken but determined to seek justice for their promising daughter..
"Let justice be done. We appeal to the government to put all the machinery possible so that justice is done to this poor family," said Mogeni.
How were Kemunto's final moments
On Sunday, March 30, Kemunto was last seen alive when her roommate left for church.
Hours later, Philip Eric Mutinda, also a first-year student, entered her room, where he attempted to seduce her.
When she reportedly resisted, he became violent, striking her and causing her to hit her head on the wall, leading to her death.
Mutinda then panicked, concealed her body in a suitcase, and dumped it in a water tank.
Proofreading by Asher Omondi, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
