Legal Pressure Mounts on University After Student’s Murder
The lawyer has further stated that they shall institute legal proceedings if the letter is ignored.
Following the gruesome murder of a MultiMedia University Sylvia Kemunto Ayaye by a fellow student last week, Sheria Mtaani has written a demand letter to the vice chancellor demanding admission of liability.
The letter written by lawyer Shadrack Wambui is dated April 9, 2024, which gives an ultimatum of seven days to the university to furnish the lawyer with an unequivocal admission of liability.
“Upon receipt thereof, we are instructed to engage in the discussions of appropriate assessment of appropriate compensation in the circumstances,” read part of the letter.
If the demand is disregarded, they will petition the Commission for University Education to exercise its statutory powers under Section 22 of the University’s Act., to recall its Charter or Letter of Interim Authority.
The lawyer has further stated that they shall institute legal proceedings if the letter is ignored.
The letter comes a day after the postmortem of the body of the slain student confirming she was killed by strangulation and bludgeoned repeatedly on the head.
The report also revealed the defensive wounds on her forearm which bore witness to her valiant struggle fighting for her life resisting with every ounce of strength, until the violence overcame her.
The fact is that a monstrous act occurred within the institution that should have protected her. “We ask not out of indignation, but out of anguish, bewilderment – and a need for accountability.” read part of the letter.
The letter disclosed that Sylvia, before her death had voiced concerns about harassment by the primary suspect Philip Eric Mutinda but her pleas were not met with the urgency or seriousness they merited. It was a foreseen tragedy whose warning signs were visible but ignored.
The lawyer stated that Sylvia’s death is, and of itself, prima facie evidence of the institution’s grave dereliction of its duty.
Wambui is accusing the university of its deliberate silence after the incident which he claims to be more chilling than the tragedy itself. “Not a word, not a gesture, not a shred of humanity extended to the grieving family. It is as though her life and death meant nothing,” Wambui points the finger at the institution.
The lawyer says that the family has yet to receive even the most basic expression of condolence from the university’s office, an act which leaves people wondering what kind of institution fails to acknowledge the murder of its student.
