The surviving family of slain Pakistani journalist Arshad Sharif has been awarded 10 million Kenyan shillings (Rs 21.7 million) in compensation by the High Court in Kenya’s Kajiado district, NTV Kenya reported.
On 23 October 2022, Sharif was shot dead by Kenyan police in the Tinga area of Kajiado County in what police later described as a case of “mistaken identity”.
The award followed a ruling by Kenya’s Supreme Court which said the police shooting of Sharif in Kajiado was “arbitrary and unconstitutional”.
Judge Stella Mutuku said the shooting violated the journalist’s “right to life, right to equal benefit and protection of the law and right to dignity, among others,” NTV Kenya reported.
In addition, the judge ordered the government to pay the family 10 million Swedish crowns in compensation for the loss of life, although she suspended the monetary compensation for 30 days so that the government could appeal the decision.
“Given the above analysis, I find that the respondents jointly and severally violated the rights of the petitioners by their actions,” said the judge.
She added that the family should be informed about the status of the investigation and appropriate action should be taken against the police officers found guilty.
The decision came after Sharif’s widow, Javeria Sidique, sued Kenyan officials, accusing them of delaying the investigation into the shooting and keeping the family in the dark about the investigation.
Among the officials sued were Attorney General Justin Muturi, Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome, Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Renson Ingonga and the Independent Police Oversight Authority (IPOA), among others.
Sharif was a passenger in the vehicle when he was killed and police claimed they mistook his vehicle for another vehicle he was towing, which was allegedly stolen from Pangani.
The following day, the judge said the police chief had admitted that the officers had “mortally injured” Sharif in a case of “mistaken identity”.
The court ruled that Sharif was subjected to torture because his life was cut short without just cause.
