The family of Sylvia Kemunto, a Multimedia University (MMU) student whose body was discovered stuffed in a suitcase and dumped in a rooftop water tank, has dismissed reports that she had been in a relationship with the prime suspect in her murder.

Speaking outside a Nairobi courtroom on Monday, Sylvia’s relatives refuted investigators’ claims that she and the suspect, Erick Mutinda, were romantically involved. “Our daughter was not dating him,” said a grieving relative. “She had actually reported him for harassment after she turned down his advances.”

The court was told that both Kemunto and Mutinda were first-year students at MMU, pursuing degrees in Mathematics and Electrical Engineering respectively. Investigators claim the two had been in a relationship since September 2024 — a statement the family strongly contests.

According to the family, Kemunto had recently complained of relentless harassment by Mutinda. Concerned for her safety, her mother had advised her to leave the university hostel and return home to Kawangware. “That suitcase was meant to bring her home, not carry her body,” said her mother tearfully.

Kemunto was expected to sit her end-of-semester exams this week. On the day she went missing, she had returned to campus with the intention of packing up her belongings permanently.

Her tragic death has sparked outrage among students and parents alike, with calls growing louder for universities to take stronger action against reported harassment cases. “If action had been taken earlier, this life could have been saved,” said a fellow student who requested anonymity.

Mutinda remains in police custody as investigations continue. Meanwhile, Kemunto’s family is demanding justice. “She was full of promise, but her life was cut short because no one listened when she spoke up,” said a family spokesperson.

The case returns to court next week as the nation follows closely, gripped by a chilling story that has brought university safety into the spotlight.