Nairobi, Kenya – In a significant development, the High Court in Kenya’s Kajiado has delivered a landmark verdict in the murder case of Pakistani journalist Arshad Sharif, ordering the government to pay 10 million Kenyan shillings (approximately 21.7 million Pakistani rupees) to the slain journalist’s family.
Justice Stella Mutuku ruled that the killing of Arshad Sharif by Kenyan police officers in October 2022 was “unlawful” and “unconstitutional.” The court also faulted the investigating agencies for their laxity in concluding the probe and charging the police officers responsible for Sharif’s death.
Arshad Sharif, a senior journalist and former ARY News anchor, was shot dead in the Kenyan capital Nairobi on October 23, 2022, while living in self-exile. The official police statement later expressed “regrets on the unfortunate incident.”
The court’s verdict is a significant victory for the Sharif family and the journalism community, who have been seeking justice for the slain journalist. The court’s ruling sets a precedent for police accountability and the protection of human rights in Kenya.
The court also ordered the respondents to provide the petitioners with an update on the status of the investigation and to take appropriate actions, including disciplinary measures and prosecution of the officers involved.
The verdict has been hailed by journalists and human rights activists in Pakistan and Kenya, who have been demanding justice for Arshad Sharif. The case has also highlighted the dangers faced by journalists in both countries and the need for greater protection and accountability.
