Grief engulfed the High Court in Kibera as the murder trial of Multimedia University student Sylvia Kemunto continued with emotional testimony from her mother, Teresiah Kemunt.
The court heard details of distressing events that preceded the young woman’s death within the university premises.
Teresiah told the court that her daughter had called her to inform her about persistent pressure from a male student who was seeking a romantic relationship. She said Sylvia had rejected the advances and blocked the individual’s phone number after feeling unsafe.
The situation escalated when the man allegedly took Sylvia’s phone, forcing the family to intervene by alerting the university administration before it was returned.
The mother testified that when Sylvia suddenly went missing, she launched a desperate search by contacting friends and university officials before reporting the matter at Lang’ata Police Station.Investigators later visited the campus to trace her whereabouts.
During this period, the accused student allegedly fled after interacting with detectives, a move that heightened suspicion.
Evidence presented in court indicated that Sylvia’s hostel room had been disturbed, prompting further investigations across hostel blocks.
Tracking efforts showed her phone signal within the university, but she remained missing for several days.
The court was told that a foul smell later led to a grim discovery in a rooftop water tank at one of the hostels where Sylvia’s body was found.
Teresiah said she identified her daughter at the City Mortuary through distinctive nail polish, describing the sight as deeply distressing.
She also spoke of raising Sylvia as a single parent and struggling financially to support her education.
Sylvia was described as bright, ambitious, and loving, with dreams of a medical career before settling for computer science.
The accused has denied the charges as the trial continues, with further testimonies expected.
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