Joseph Kairiyo Kibuche, Prudence Imali, 20, and Derrick Machanja, 22, who was shot dead during the protest.
An ordinary day in the life of the Njugunas turned tragic moments after George Njuguna Kamau left home, his widow, Grace Nyariri, said.
Everything had been normal, Ms Nyariri recounted, until she suddenly received news that her husband had been shot dead.
One moment, she had a loving husband by her side. Next, she was a distraught widow grappling with the sudden loss of the man she had hoped to grow old with.
Across Nairobi and other parts of the country, families are mourning their loved ones who were killed during the protests against high fuel prices — their deaths adding to the growing toll from demonstrations.
Protesters in Kitengela light bonfires and barricade roads during national protests against rising fuel prices on May 18, 2026.
And behind the numbers are shattered households, young widows, unborn children, and dreams abruptly cut short by bullets fired in the chaos of running battles between protesters and police.
The Njugunas had only been married for two years. And now, besides being pregnant, Ms Nyariri is left to raise their two-year-old child — alone.
“George, 32, was always a jovial man,” the widow said, adding that now what remains are the lovely memories of the moments they shared.
George, who was shot on the first day of the protests, was a boda boda rider in Nairobi. His family says that he was not actively involved in the protests that ended on Tuesday after government intervention.
Youths block a section of Naivasha Road in Kawangware, Nairobi on May 19, 2026 after Public Service Vehicle (PSV) operators went on strike during the second day of the fuel price protests.
Joseph Kairie Kibuche
The other victim was Joseph Kairie Kibuche, who lost his life while heading home in the evening. The widow, Ms Faith Nyambura, said he was caught up in the running battles between protesters and the police in Githurai 44. He never made it back home.
His family said police officers allegedly opened fired from their vehicle, and a bullet struck him in the chest.
Photo of Joseph Kairiyo Kibuche who was shot dead around Githurai 44.
Kibuche earned a living as a delivery rider in Nairobi, ferrying parcels in the city on his bike. On the days that he did not find work, he was always “just on standby”. His loved ones said he was shot dead on his motorbike.
Ms Nyambura described him as a loving husband and devoted father. She said a police bullet not only killed her husband of nearly 10 years, but also robbed the family of its pillar and provider.
Prudence Imali
Caught in the same fate was Mr Dennis Kwayumba. His wife, Prudence Imali, succumbed to gunshot injuries after she was caught up in the violence during the protests.
Photo of Prudence Imali, 20 who was shot dead during the protest.
According to her husband, Prudence had stepped out to go to the shop in Marurui and was returning home when tragedy struck. She was at the gate and was about to get into the compound when a police bullet hit her.
Mr Kwayumba said that Purity had been going about her daily routine before her life was cut short.
“I’m pleading for help… at least so we can lay my wife to rest,” a distraught Mr Kwayumba told Nation after spending the better part of the day at the mortuary.
Derrick Machanja
Little is known of the circumstances under which Derrick Machanja, 22, was shot at Maraba in Kakamega County. His guardian, Ms Selphine Indasi, said his photo was sent on WhatsApp, and that is how he was identified.
Machanja, whose mother is mentally ill, was raised by his grandmother. They stayed in a single room. Ms Indasi told Nation on the phone that Machanja was affable, disciplined and a hardworking young man.
Derrick Machanja, 22, who was shot at Maraba in Kakamega
The second-year student at Sigalagala National Polytechnic from a humble family was pursuing mechanical engineering.
His life and his dreams were snuffed out by the bullet fired by the police during the fuel protests in unclear circumstances.
“He was the light of the family,” said Ms Indasi. “He had a very promising future and was the family’s everything.”
Given the circumstances surrounding his birth, little is known about his paternal background. He was raised by his maternal grandmother, who cared for him throughout his life. But even in death, questions linger over where he should be laid to rest, with Luhya cultural customs complicating the matter. Ms Indasi said the situation has been made even more difficult by the fact that his paternal relatives cannot be traced.
“We plead with the government and any well-wisher to come to the family’s aid,” she said.
Police officers engaging protesters in running battles at Kimbo Area of Ruiru, Kiambu county during national protests against rising fuel prices on May 18, 2026.
The government has acknowledged that at least four people have been killed and 30 others injured during the fuel demonstrations that turned violent in parts of the country. The death toll could rise.
Human rights activists told the Nation that 12 people had died as a result of the protests.
According to Vocal Africa’s Ojiro Odhiambo, two died in Dagoretti and Kasarani, three others in Kiambu and Naivasha, while one died in both Kakamega and Nakuru, bringing the total to 12.
By Wednesday evening, the Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) had received six patients—one female and five male—following the anti-fuel protests.
Kenyatta National Hospital in Nairobi.
Dr Joel Lessan, the Senior Director of Clinical Services, said that the female patient sustained a shoulder injury and succumbed to her injuries.
“Among the five male patients, one sustained a thigh injury, three presented with head injuries, and one was admitted with polytrauma injuries resulting from mob justice,” Dr Lessan said.
“All surviving patients are currently receiving appropriate medical attention from our clinical teams,” he added.
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