NAIROBI – Kenyan court has declared killing of Pakistani investigative journalist Arshad Sharif as unconstitutional and pre-planned, directing authorities to compensate the family of the deceased.
Kenyan High court ordered the Kenyan government to compensate his family with over Rs21 million. Justice Stella Mutuku of the Kajiado High Court stated that the use of lethal force against Sharif was unlawful, slamming the Attorney General, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), and other investigative agencies for their delays in concluding the investigation and prosecuting those responsible.
The court ruling came after Pakistani government fact-finding team reported that Arshad Sharif’s death was a pre-planned assassination rather than a case of mistaken identity, as initially claimed by Kenyan authorities.
Team found inconsistencies in Kenyan version of events and suggested that shooting was deliberate.
Kenya’s National Police Service spokesperson, Resila Onyango, mentioned that the investigation is still ongoing, with no further details provided. The court ordered the state agencies to complete the investigation, take disciplinary action, and prosecute the officers involved if found guilty.
The judge emphasized that while monetary compensation cannot fully redress the loss and suffering endured by Sharif’s family, it is an appropriate move for violation of his fundamental rights.
Arshad Sharif
The shooting death of Pakistani journalist Arshad Sharif by Kenyan police sparked outrage in Pakistan, where many suspect a targeted killing. Thousands attended his funeral in Islamabad. Sharif, a critic of Pakistan’s military and supporter of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, was shot while in a vehicle near Nairobi.
Sharif had left Pakistan in August amid harassment claims, staying in the UAE and possibly the UK before seeking refuge in Kenya. He was working on a documentary about corruption in Pakistan at the time of his death.
The incident highlights longstanding issues within Kenya’s police, including extrajudicial killings. The recent arrest of nine officers over another case has intensified scrutiny. Kenya’s new president closed the Special Services Unit, known for such abuses.
Sharif’s killing has led to various theories, with some alleging a plot from Pakistan. Lt Gen Nadeem Ahmed Anjum of Pakistan’s military intelligence publicly named individuals who might be connected but denied military involvement.
Supreme Court rejects special JIT report in Arshad Sharif murder case
