Tensions remained high in Huruma, Nairobi, on Sunday following the shooting of 21-year-old Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) first-year student Sheryl Adhiambo, with residents demanding the arrest of the police officer believed to have fired the fatal shot.
Protesters took to the streets, throwing stones at police officers, who responded with tear gas and live ammunition to disperse the crowds. The clashes left streets largely deserted, while at least two matatus were set on fire and most businesses remained closed throughout the day.
The incident occurred on Saturday evening, when Sheryl was going about her business after finishing her examinations. Police were reportedly pursuing suspected criminals who had been terrorising the area and fired shots during the operation.
Eyewitnesses said Sheryl was hit by a stray bullet amid the commotion. At the same time, criminal gangs reportedly exploited the chaos to rob shops, heightening residents’ alarm.
The National Police Service (NPS) issued a statement clarifying what prompted officers to open fire and confirming that a member of the public had been fatally injured. According to the NPS, officers fired warning shots after a suspect, accused of stealing a silver chain and cash from a civilian, raised an alarm, prompting bystanders to try to prevent his arrest.
“At around 8:00 pm, a member of the public reported to Huruma Police station that five young men known to him had attacked him, robbed him of a silver chain and Sh1800 in cash and threatened to kill him. Further inquiries led to the arrest of two more suspects,” the NPS said.
“During this second arrest, one of the suspects raised an alarm and incited other youths nearby, who responded by throwing stones and other projectiles at the police in an attempt to obstruct the officers from executing their duties. The officers were forced to fire warning shots in the air.”
Police defended the operation, saying officers were responding to criminal activity in the area. They said suspects had been terrorising residents and that the operation aimed to restore security. However, police have not named the officer involved in the shooting. Authorities say they will carry out a full investigation.
The killing sparked protests that began on Saturday night and continued into Sunday. Residents poured into the streets demanding the arrest of the officer who fired the shot. Crowds gathered at key junctions in Kiamaiko and Huruma.
The protests quickly turned violent. Youths threw stones at police officers, who responded with tear gas and live rounds fired into the air. The clashes spread across the area as tensions rose.
During the unrest, protesters torched at least two public service vehicles (PSVs) and damaged another vehicle. Some people looted shops amid the chaos. Residents said criminals took advantage of the disorder to rob businesses.
Police maintained a heavy presence in Huruma on Sunday, with officers patrolling the streets to prevent further violence. Tension remained high as residents demanded answers.
Human rights organisations, including VOCAL Africa, have called on the police to conduct a swift investigation into the incident.
Meanwhile, Sheryl’s body remains at the Nairobi Funeral Home pending post-mortem and funeral arrangements.
Her mother is still struggling to come to terms with the loss. When journalists spoke to her, she could barely speak before breaking down in tears.
The incident, comes amid public uproar over recent police-brutality related incidents across the country last year and the better part of 2024 during the anti-finance bill protests.
