NAIROBI, Kenya — A 21-year-old Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) student, identified as Sheryl Adhiambo, was fatally shot on Saturday night in Huruma Ngei I, Nairobi, in an incident that has sparked protests, public outrage, and urgent calls for accountability from civil society groups.
Adhiambo, who had just completed her exams, was reportedly working at a kiosk helping her mother when she was struck by a bullet while police officers were in pursuit of a suspect.
Early accounts suggest she was hit by a stray bullet amid the commotion, although the exact sequence of events remains under investigation.
Human rights lobby group VOCAL Africa condemned the killing, highlighting what it described as a lack of transparency by police following the shooting.
According to VOCAL Africa CEO Hussein Khalid, officers initially refused to record the incident in the police Occurrence Book (OB), a procedural requirement that documents incidents formally.
Only after intense public pressure did authorities issue an OB number and officially document the case.
“Despite initial resistance from the police to document the incident, public pressure ultimately forced authorities to issue an OB number and officially record the case,” Khalid said.
Outcry, Protests and Police Response
News of Adhiambo’s death sparked running confrontations between residents and police, which continued into Sunday, according to witnesses who spoke to Y News.
Roads were blocked, residents lit fires in protest, and at least three vehicles were burned, while some community members reportedly looted businesses amid the unrest.
In response, police reportedly fired warning shots into the air to disperse crowds and were later able to remove Adhiambo’s body for transfer to the City Mortuary, where it is now awaiting a post-mortem examination.
Authorities are yet to release a comprehensive explanation of the circumstances that led to the shooting, and the Kenyan Police Service had not, by Sunday evening, issued a detailed public statement.
A 22-year-old woman was tragically killed after being shot through the eye by police gunfire while she was working at her stall during a pursuit of a suspect.VOCAL Africa demands accountability and we insist on a transparent investigation into the tactical failures that led to
Demands for Investigation and Police Reform
Human rights organisations, including VOCAL Africa, are pressing for an independent and transparent investigation into the girl’s death, calling it symptomatic of broader concerns about police use of force and accountability in Kenya.
“Communities deserve clarity and justice when law enforcement operations result in the loss of innocent life,” a VOCAL Africa statement said.
The organisation further pledged to support Sheryl’s family in seeking accountability for the fatal shooting.
A Broader Pattern of Concern
Adhiambo’s killing has revived longstanding debates about police conduct and impunity in Kenya.
Human rights organisations, including local watchdogs and international groups, have previously documented cases where police use of lethal force has resulted in civilian deaths, with limited accountability and few prosecutions.
Under Kenyan law, any use of lethal force resulting in death should be reported to oversight bodies such as the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), and investigated thoroughly, but critics argue this rarely happens effectively.
What Happens Next
The girl’s family, supported by human rights organisations, is expected to pursue legal and civil avenues to ensure a full investigation.
Meanwhile, the community in Huruma remains tense, with residents demanding justice and a public explanation of why the police operation resulted in the death of a young woman with no involvement in the criminal pursuit.
