NAIROBI, Kenya — Public outrage is mounting following the death of 21-year-old KMTC student Sheryl Adhiambo, who was fatally shot during a police operation in Huruma over the weekend.
A postmortem conducted on Tuesday confirmed that Adhiambo died from a single gunshot wound to the head, which ruptured her cerebral cavity and was instantly fatal.
Adhiambo, a first-year student at KMTC Mathari Campus, was helping her mother at a fish kiosk in Kiamaiko on the evening of February 7 when police pursuing suspected robbers opened fire. Reports indicate she was struck by a stray bullet.
The tragedy has sparked calls for urgent accountability and justice, with residents, activists, and political figures demanding that the officers involved be identified and held responsible.
The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) confirmed deployment of a Rapid Response Team to investigate the incident, including collecting evidence, interviewing witnesses, and analysing exhibits.
The National Police Service (NPS) said officers responded to a robbery report, arresting two suspects initially, with two more apprehended later. During the second arrest, a suspect raised an alarm, prompting youths to stone officers.
Police said they fired warning shots to disperse the crowd, during which Adhiambo was fatally struck, and urged residents to allow due process.
At KMTC Mathari Campus, the atmosphere was sombre as students and staff mourned Adhiambo’s death. Chief Executive Officer Kelly Oluoch visited the campus to offer condolences and pledged support for students grappling with grief.
“The loss of Sheryl Adhiambo is a heartbreaking blow to our entire KMTC community,” Oluoch said. “The College is committed to providing psychosocial support and will fully cooperate with independent investigations to ensure accountability.”
Human rights organisation IMLU reiterated its commitment to supporting the family and ensuring justice.
“IMLU mourns Sheryl Adhiambo’s loss and continues to support her family in the quest for #JusticeForSherylAdhiambo. Her post-mortem was facilitated to ensure timely documentation and accountability,” the organisation said.
The incident has reignited national debates over police conduct in densely populated areas, with civil society groups urging reforms in operational protocols to prevent civilian casualties.
Experts stress that while law enforcement faces challenging environments, the lives of bystanders must be protected, and negligence should carry consequences.
Family members and community leaders have called on the government to take swift action, emphasising that justice for Adhiambo is essential to restoring public confidence in the police.
The tragedy underscores the urgent need for transparent investigations, responsible policing, and mechanisms to protect innocent civilians, as the country grapples with the balance between law enforcement and human rights.
