Kenya Ordered to Pay Ksh. 10 Million to Family of Murdered Journalist Arshad Sharif.

In a landmark ruling on Monday morning, the High Court of Kenya ordered the government to pay Ksh. 10 million in compensation to the family of Pakistani TV journalist Arshad Sharif, whose mysterious murder in 2022 was deemed unconstitutional. High Court Judge Stella Mutuku ruled that Sharif's rights to life and protection were violated, underscoring the gravity of the case.

Sharif's widow, Javeria Siddique, led the lawsuit against the Kenyan government, arguing that Sharif was wrongfully killed and should have been protected by the state. "We have fought for justice since that tragic day, and this ruling is a step towards holding those responsible accountable," said Siddique.

The Kenyan state has requested a 30-day suspension of the ruling to prepare an appeal, which the court has granted.

A Case of Mistaken Identity or Pre-Planned Murder?

Arshad Sharif was shot dead by Kenyan police in Nairobi on October 23, 2022. Kenyan officials initially claimed it was a case of mistaken identity, stating that police mistook his vehicle for one used by car thieves and opened fire when it failed to stop at a roadblock.

However, a two-member fact-finding team from Pakistan, set up to probe the killing, found significant contradictions in the Kenyan authorities' account. The team, which conducted interviews, crime scene reconstructions, and examined Sharif's devices, concluded it was a case of pre-planned murder.

"Both members of the fact-finding team have a considered understanding that it is a case of planned targeted assassination with transnational characters rather than a case of mistaken identity," stated the report. "It is more probable that the firing was done, after taking proper aim, at a stationary vehicle."

Contradictions and Continued Investigations

The Pakistani team's report also highlighted discrepancies in the autopsy reports from Kenya and Pakistan. The post-mortem in Pakistan identified 12 injuries on Sharif's body, while the Kenyan report noted only two gunshot wounds. This raised concerns about possible torture or struggle before Sharif's death, a suspicion that remains unverified pending further investigation by the Kenyan doctor who conducted the autopsy.

Kenyan authorities have refrained from commenting on the report's specifics. "The investigation into the matter is still ongoing, so there is not much I can tell," said Kenya National Police Service spokesperson Resila Onyango.

A Journalist in Exile

Sharif had fled Pakistan due to threats to his life after facing several treason charges. One charge was related to his reporting that allegedly incited a call for mutiny within the armed forces, a claim Sharif and his sources denied. Former Prime Minister Imran Khan, along with his successor Shehbaz Sharif, both called for a judicial investigation into Sharif's death, suspecting it was tied to his journalistic work.

Khan stated, "Arshad was murdered for his fearless reporting and dedication to truth. This verdict is a crucial step towards justice, but the fight is far from over."

The ruling marks a significant moment in the quest for justice for Arshad Sharif, but with an appeal pending, the final outcome remains uncertain. As the investigation continues, Sharif's family and supporters remain vigilant in their pursuit of accountability and truth.