A 21-year-old first-year KMTC student, Sheryl Adhiambo (also reported as Cheryl or Sheril in some accounts), was fatally shot on Saturday evening, February 7, 2026, allegedly by police during a pursuit of a suspected criminal in Huruma Ngei I area. The incident has sparked widespread outrage, leading to running battles between residents and law enforcement that continued into Sunday, with reports of vehicles torched, property vandalized, and tear gas deployed.
Sheryl, who had just completed her exams and was assisting her mother, Caroline Achieng, at their fish kiosk in Kiamaiko, was struck by a stray bullet—reportedly hitting her in the eye—while going about her routine business. She died instantly at the scene. Her body now lies at the City Mortuary awaiting post-mortem examination.
Human rights activist Hussein Khalid of VOCAL Africa highlighted the tragedy on social media, stating: “21-year-old Sheryl Adhiambo was shot dead last night allegedly by police in Huruma Ngei I, Nairobi. She was a first-year student at KMTC. She had just finished her exams. Her body is lying at the city mortuary.” Khalid and the family have demanded the immediate arrest of the responsible officer and a transparent investigation.
The National Police Service (NPS) has urged residents to desist from violence and maintain calm, acknowledging the “tragic death” while noting that an occurrence book (OB) number was issued after public pressure. The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) is reportedly probing the incident.
Protests turned chaotic, with angry crowds setting at least two vehicles ablaze and vandalizing parts of the local police station. Residents accuse police of excessive force and impunity, echoing broader concerns over police brutality under the current administration.
This incident revives painful memories of surging cases of alleged police killings and injuries, including during the 2025 anti-government protests where dozens died from live ammunition, rubber bullets, tear gas, and other means. High-profile cases, such as the death of blogger Albert Ojwang in police custody in June 2025 and unrest during Saba Saba commemorations, have fueled public distrust.
The family and activists insist Sheryl was an innocent bystander with a bright future in emergency care studies at KMTC’s Mathari campus. Her mother addressed the media outside Huruma Police Station, calling for accountability amid mourning crowds.
As tension simmers in Huruma, calls for justice grow louder: #JusticeForSherylAdhiambo trends online, with many demanding an end to the cycle of unchecked police violence. Authorities face mounting pressure to deliver swift, transparent results—or risk further escalation in an already volatile community.
