Kenyan Court Rules Against Police in Killing of Pakistani Journalist Arshad Sharif
A Kenyan court recently declared that police acted unlawfully in the killing of Pakistani journalist Arshad Sharif in 2022. Sharif, a vocal supporter of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, was fatally shot by Kenyan police in October 2022. His widow, Javeria Siddique, and two journalist groups in Kenya filed a complaint against top police and legal officials for the “arbitrary and unlawful killing” of Sharif and the lack of investigation.
The High Court in Kajiado rejected the police claim of mistaken identity and ruled that Sharif’s murder was unconstitutional. Judge Stella Mutuku stated that the respondents violated the petitioners’ rights. The court ordered the government to pay compensation of 10 million Kenyan shillings and demanded that the two officers involved be prosecuted.
Siddique expressed gratitude for the support she received and emphasized the importance of holding perpetrators accountable. While justice has been served in Kenya, she stressed that similar accountability is still needed in Pakistan.
Watch Javeria Siddique’s video statement here.