A family in Kahawa West, Nairobi, is demanding justice after a teenage girl, Sharon Nyambura, was shot during unrest linked to fuel price protests in May 2026.

The incident has left the family seeking answers from police and oversight bodies as investigations continue.

The shooting happened as protests over rising fuel prices turned violent in parts of Nairobi and other towns, with transport disruptions, road blockages and clashes reported across the country.

According to reports shared by a local TV station on Sunday, June 7, 2026, 19-year-old Sharon was in Kahawa West when she was shot while at a salon. She was caught up in the protests and had her hair being plaited when the bullet struck.

The account has fuelled public concern over how civilians, especially young people, were affected during the demonstrations.

Sharon described the moment she was hit, saying she first heard gunshots before realising she had been injured.

“Nikaskia risasi imelia tu mara mbili; huyo dame akaniambia, ‘Wacha nikumalizie haraka’ (Kusuka nywele). Hata five seconds haikuisha, kitu ikakuja ka imeniingia hapa hivi, ikakwama hapa,” she narrated.

She said she lost consciousness shortly after.

“Sikumbuki next vile kulikuwa ju mimi nilikuwa theatre na nilikuwa nimezima.”

Her testimony shows how quickly a routine visit to a salon turned into a life-threatening situation.

Mother finds daughter bleeding

Sharon’s mother, Jane Mwangi, said she rushed to the scene after receiving a distress call. She found her daughter lying on the floor and bleeding heavily.

“Kwenda ndio nilikuta msichana wangu anatoka damu kwa kifua akiwa amelala hapo chini.”

She said neighbours helped her rush Sharon to the hospital, where doctors confirmed she had a gunshot wound and required surgery.

“Wakapiga picha ya kwanza ndio wakasema wameona risasi. Wakampeleka theatre.”

The mother said she later struggled to get clear answers about the bullet removed during treatment.

“Nikauliza madaktari wenye walikuwa hapo. Akaniambia, ‘wacha nipigie daktari mwenye amefanya hiyo surgery’. Akampigia, akaniambia hiyo bullet hawezi nipatia,” she said.

Jane Mwangi said she reported the matter at Kahawa West Police Station and expected swift action. However, she says she was told investigations would be carried out without clear updates.

She later took the case to the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), hoping for a more detailed inquiry.

“Nikafikiria nikasema niende kwa IPOA; wakaniuliza case yangu, wakasema wamefungua file,” she said.

She said she wants accountability and clear answers on who fired the shot that injured her daughter.

“Kama ni polisi wafuatilie, kwa sababu hiyo ni kifo ilikuwa inaelekea kwa mtoto wangu. Mtoto apate haki yake.”

Injuries linked to fuel protests

The shooting happened during widespread protests over fuel price increases in May 2026. The demonstrations disrupted transport systems in Nairobi and other towns, leaving commuters stranded and leading to clashes in several areas.

Transport operators went on strike after fuel prices rose sharply, driven by global supply pressures. Roads into Nairobi were blocked in some areas, while police used tear gas to disperse crowds in others.

Authorities reported that several people were injured during the unrest, and human rights groups said multiple deaths were recorded across the country.

Sharon’s family says she was not part of the protests and was simply at a salon when she was caught in the violence. They now want a clear explanation of what happened and who is responsible.

The mother says the family is still waiting for justice as her daughter recovers from the injury.

“Mtoto apate haki yake… ju huyu msichana ako na maisha mingi ya kukaa na hatujui nini itamfanyikia baadaye,” she concluded.