The High Court has ordered Kenya to pay Kshs10 million to the family of slain Pakistan journalist Arshad Sharif.
Sharif was killed on October 23, 2022 after being shot in Kajiado.
Justice Stella Mutuku said that Sharif’s death was unconstitutional and arbitrary.
The judge noted that his killing violated his right to life, protection by the law, dignity among others.
She further noted that the family of the deceased should be updated on the status of the investigations, adding that the police officers responsible for Sharif’s death should be held culpable
“In view of the analysis above. I find that the respondents, jointly and severally through their actions violated the rights of the petitioners,” the judge ruled.
“Sharif’s widow Javeria Sidique sued the Attorney General Justin Muturi, Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome, Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Renson Ingonga and the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), among others, accusing them of delaying investigations into the shooting and keeping the family in the dark concerning the probe.”
Sharif had sought refugee in Kenya in July 2022 to evade arrest after criticizing Pakistani military.
He was shot dead at Tinga area in Kajiado with the police later claiming that it was a case of mistaken identity.
His wife was also present at the time of shooting.
The police had been trailing a Mercedes Benz KDJ 700F that had been stolen in Pangani, only for them to rain on Sharif, who was driving his Toyota Land Cruiser 200M.
