A postmortem examination on slain Multimedia University (MMU) student Sylvia Kemunto Ayaye has revealed that she was strangled and hit on the head with a blunt object.
Government pathologist Dr Johansen Oduor and private pathologist Dr Martha Mwangi conducted the examination at Montezuma Monalisa Funeral Home.
MMU student had strangulation marks
Dr Oduor said the body had decomposed and was in poor condition during the examination.
However, the pathologists found strangulation marks on Sylvia’s neck. They also found blood clots in her head and an injury on her lower limb.
“There was evidence that there was a struggle. The deceased was strangled, and there was clear evidence of strangulation marks on the neck and blood clotting in the head, which is clear evidence that she was hit with a blunt object,” Dr Oduor said.
The findings suggest that the MMU student struggled with her attacker before her death.
Postmortem rules out pregnancy claims
Meanwhile, Dr Oduor dismissed claims circulating on social media that Sylvia was pregnant.
He said the examination showed that her cervix remained closed. He also confirmed that there was no pregnancy in her womb.
Furthermore, the pathologist ruled out drowning as the cause of death. This followed claims on social media that Sylvia had drowned.
Family lawyers question university security
Following the postmortem, Sylvia’s family lawyers said they would pursue justice for the deceased.
The lawyers, led by Danstan Omari and Shadrack Wambui, also questioned the security arrangements at the university.
“We will file a case in court against the university seeking to know its role on the security of the students,” Omari said.
Similarly, Wambui questioned how the incident occurred without security officers responding to the reported commotion.
“We are wondering how a student was murdered in her room without a response from the security, which was logical that they were supposed to hear the commotion,” Wambui said.
The lawyers said they would seek answers on the university’s responsibility for student security.
Body of missing MMU student found in water tank
Police recovered Sylvia’s body on Wednesday night from a water tank on the rooftop of a hostel within the university compound.
The MMU student had disappeared on Sunday, March 30, 2025.
Her disappearance raised concern among her family and fellow students.
Sylvia’s mother, Triza Kwamboka, lives in Kawangware. She became concerned after failing to reach her daughter on phone.
The mother had sent Sylvia upkeep money through a church elder’s phone. Later, she tried to confirm whether her daughter had received the money.
However, Sylvia did not answer her calls.
Consequently, Kwamboka travelled to the university to look for her daughter. The university management confirmed that Sylvia was missing.
She then reported the matter at Langata Police Station. Police recorded the report in the Occurrence Book.
Family recalls student’s concerns
Kwamboka said her daughter had previously told her about a young man who was making advances towards her.
“She had told me about a young man who was making advances at her. She said she did not like him and I told her to stand firm,” Kwamboka said.
On the day Sylvia disappeared, her roommate had reportedly gone to church. Sylvia was therefore alone in their Block B room.
Investigators later established that Sylvia’s boyfriend, Philip Eric Mutinda, visited her room at around 1pm that day.
Mutinda, a first-year Electrical Engineering student, has since been arrested as the main suspect in the case.
Family appeals for support
The family has appealed to well-wishers for support as they seek justice for Sylvia.
Meanwhile, investigators continue to examine the circumstances surrounding the death of the slain MMU student.
The postmortem findings are expected to form part of the evidence in the ongoing investigation.
