Tension gripped Huruma over the weekend after police fatally shot a 21-year-old Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) student during an operation on Saturday evening, February 7, 2026.

The incident sparked protests that quickly turned violent, with residents clashing with officers, throwing stones, and setting vehicles on fire.

The National Police Service (NPS) issued a statement on Sunday, February 8, 2026, detailing the events. According to police, a member of the public reported to Huruma Police Station at around 08:00 on Saturday that five young men had attacked him, robbed him of a silver chain and Ksh1,800, and threatened his life.

Officers arrested two men of interest at the scene, and further enquiries led to two more arrests around 19:30.

During the second arrest, police said, one person raised an alarm and incited nearby youths.

“The group threw stones and other projectiles at officers, obstructing the arrest,” the statement read. Officers fired warning shots into the air. Soon after, reports emerged that a member of the public had suffered fatal injuries in the confrontation. Chaos followed, with two vehicles set on fire on Sunday.

Police launch accountability process

The NPS said it has launched a full documentation and accountability process. The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) arrived early Sunday morning to investigate. Police promised full cooperation.

“We acknowledge the tragic death of a young person during the skirmishes last evening,” the NPS statement said. It urged residents to allow transparency and accountability processes to unfold and to stop further lawlessness to de-escalate the situation.

The statement also asked anyone with information about the incident to report it to the nearest police station, any law enforcement officer, or via toll-free numbers.

Residents claimed police shot Sheryl Adhiambo, a first-year KMTC student, with a stray bullet while officers chased a suspected criminal. Sheryl had just finished her exams and returned home to help her mother at a fish kiosk. Her family insists she had no connection to the crime.