In courts: Court to review bail in case of slain Multimedia University student Sylvia Kemunto

Wheels of justice today

The High Court in Kibera will today rule on whether Eric Mutinda, the man accused of killing Multimedia University student Sylvia Kemunto can be freed on bond.

Kemunto's body was found in a water tank at the institution after she went missing for days. An autopsy revealed that she was strangled.

She also sustained head injuries caused by a blunt object.

Mutinda was arrested and charged with murder, for which he pleaded not guilty.

He is currently at Nairobi Remand Prison, following a court order for a 30-day detention to allow for a mental assessment and the preparation of a probation officer's report.

The court also directed both the prosecution and the defense to file and serve affidavits regarding the bail application within seven days.

Justice Diana Kavedza will today rule on whether the accused can be admitted to bond after a psychiatric evaluation of the pre-bail report.

In another case, former Sports Cabinet Secretary Rashid Echesa and his co-accused are expected to appear before the Milimani Chief Magistrate’s court.

The accused faces charges related to a Sh39 billion fake arms deal. He was acquitted in December 2021 by then-senior principal magistrate Kenneth Cheruiyot who said the prosecution had failed to prove its case against him.

However, on February 26, 2024, High Court Judge Kanyi Kimondo ordered Echesa and his four co-accused persons to appear in court to defend themselves.

That was after the state lodged a successful appeal. But Echesa moved to the court of appeal and obtained an order suspending the matter.

Justices Patrick Kiage, Ali Aroni and Lydia Achode said his appeal raised fundamental questions of law that need to be handled by the court.

During the previous court session, the defense informed the magistrate that they were awaiting directions from the appellate court.

Consequently, the magistrate granted the defense until May 29 to provide an update on the appellate decision.

Chief Magistrate Lucas Onyina is scheduled to assess any developments from the Court of Appeal and determine further directions on the proceedings.