The mysterious disappearance and tragic death of 20-year-old Sylvia Kemunto, a first-year student at Multimedia University (MMU), has shocked the nation and sparked fresh concerns over violence targeting women in Kenya’s institutions of higher learning.
Kemunto, who was pursuing a double major in Mass Communication and Computer Science, was reported missing on March 30 by her mother, Triza Kwamboka, after failing to respond to calls. Her decomposing body was discovered two days later in a rooftop water tank at the university’s Block E hostel.
Police say a fellow student, a first-year Electrical Engineering learner, has confessed to being behind Kemunto’s death. He surrendered to Sultan Hamud police station in Makueni County on April 3 after evading authorities for several days. The suspect is set to appear in court on April 7 as detectives seek to detain him longer for further investigations.
In a chilling statement to police, the suspect admitted to visiting Kemunto’s room on March 30, knowing she would be alone. He confessed to making unwanted advances, which Kemunto resisted. A confrontation ensued, during which he hit and pushed her, causing her to fatally hit her head against the wall.
In a panic, he allegedly stuffed her body into a suitcase, took it to his own room briefly, then dumped it in a water tank on the rooftop. Witnesses reported seeing him dragging the suitcase across the hostel blocks, and his roommate confirmed the suitcase was in their room briefly before disappearing the next morning.
The tank, reportedly in use at the time, was sealed with wire and covered with a stone to avoid detection. The body was only discovered after a foul smell raised alarm among students and staff.
Kemunto had previously confided in her mother about a fellow student who had been making persistent and unwanted advances. Her death is now part of a disturbing trend of violence against women, particularly in learning institutions.
An autopsy is scheduled to determine the exact cause of death as investigations continue. Meanwhile, calls for better safety measures and protection for female students are growing louder.
