Echo News Digital

The High Court has set strict timelines in a petition seeking the legalisation of cannabis sativa (bhang), warning parties that no cannabis seeds should be allowed in court premises and may only be presented as photographic exhibits in their supporting evidence. While issuing its directions, the court emphasized the need to bring the case to a conclusion, noting that it affects a large number of people and has been before the court for several years. Rastafarians society following a proceedings at the Milimani law courts on February 4,2026 Justice Bahati Mwamuye observed that the matter had been in court for a long time and noted that there would be no further adjournments. “This is a 2021 matter affecting a large number of persons and ought to be concluded expeditiously. The timelines issued are final, and no further adjournments shall be entertained,” he ruled. The court directed that the hearing will proceed on March 13 and March 20, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. The petitioners are expected t...

The High Court has temporarily declined an application seeking a review of bail terms for Erick Mutinda, the accused in the murder of Multimedia University student Sylvia Kemunto, citing concerns that he may flee the country. In a ruling delivered before Justice Diana Kavedza at the Kibera law courts, the court said the fears were anchored on earlier prosecution testimony indicating that the accused had expressed intentions to escape to Tanzania after the alleged crime. “In the circumstances, the application for review of bail terms is temporarily declined and may be renewed on March 16, 2026,” the court ruled. Erick Mutinda on January 26,2026/Sarah Awinja  The decision followed testimony by a 19-year-old Multimedia University student, who told the court that on the night of April 3, 2025, Mutinda called him and confessed to killing his girlfriend. The witness testified that the accused narrated how he allegedly strangled Sylvia Kemunto by holding her neck, packed her body into a s...

Emotional moments were witnessed in a Nairobi court as the mother of Sylvia Kemunto, a first-year student at Multimedia University who was allegedly strangled, broke down in tears while recounting the events that led to her daughter’s death. Triza Kwamboka, while explaining before Justice Diana Kavedza at the Kibera Law Courts, narrated how her daughter disappeared and was later found dead under shocking circumstances. She told the court that on March 30, 2025, Sylvia called her and said she was well, even sending her some money for food. Later that day, her calls went unanswered, prompting her to travel to the university on Sunday to look for her daughter. At the school, Triza said she was first referred to Sylvia’s roommate, who told her thatupon arriving from church,she found the room disorganised. “Roommate wake aliniambia kuwa chumba kilikuwa kimevurugwa na Sylvia hakuwepo,”she said. She was later given the phone number of Erick Mutinda, the accused, who claimed Sylvia had left ea...

A Multimedia University student has told a Nairobi court about the unusual behavior of his roommate, the accused Erick Mutinda, in the days leading up to the disappearance of his girlfriend, Sylvia Kemunto. The witness, a second-year student, said he noticed actions that raised alarm and decided to recount them before the court. He told the court that on Friday, March 28, 2025, Mutinda left their room, claiming he was visiting his sister. He returned hurriedly on Sunday, dropped his luggage on the bed, and left again shortly afterward. “At around 4:20 pm, I came back to the room and saw Erick laying beside a person and trying to hide the feet of the person which had some Quitex,” the witness testified. Later, while charging his phone at Mutinda’s bedside, he felt someone under a duvet cover but left at about 4:30 pm to attend a fellowship. “I tried sitting on the edge of Erick’s bed since I was charging my phone there, and when I placed a hand on the bed, I felt someone, though the per...

A Multimedia University (MMU) student has told a Nairobi court that Erick mutinda a student accused of murdering his girlfriend Sylvia Kemunto, confessed to strangling her, packing her body in a suitcase, and disposing of it. Testifying before Justice Diana Kavedza of Kibera law courts, 19-year-old Philip said Erick called him on the night of April 3, 2025, and narrated how he allegedly killed the deceased Sylvia Kemunto. "On the April 3,2025 Erick called me and told me that he had strangled her girlfriend by holding her neck, packed the body in a suitcase, and took it from his room using the back door of Block E, which has CCTV cameras," witness told the court. Erick Mutinda accused in the murder of multimedia University student Sylvia Kemunto /Photo/Sarah Awinja  The witness added that Erick asked him to keep the confession secret and mentioned he could flee to Tanzania using his father’s car.  The witness who says he has known the accused since their days at Matiliku High...

Former Nairobi Governor Ferdinand Ndungu Waititu Babayao has asked the High Court to lower his bail, claiming the Sh53.5 million bank guarantee set in July 2025 is impossible to secure. Through his lawyer, Chris N. Mutuku, Waititu is requesting that the amount be replaced with a cash deposit of Sh20 million or another sum the court finds appropriate The application cites the “Doctrine of Impossibility,” arguing that forcing him to meet the original conditions effectively denies him the right to bail. Ferdinand waititu/photo/files The former governor also highlights his advanced age and ill-health, warning that remaining in custody while his appeal is pending could cause irreparable harm.  Waititu also adds that he has faithfully followed court orders for over five years and poses no flight risk. Filed under Section 357(1) of the Criminal Procedure Code, the motion asks the court to treat the matter as urgent and hear it ex-parte, allowing for immediate review before the Prosecution...