Sharif's killing caused outrage
The wife of a Pakistani journalist killed in Kenya has received compensation.
In 2022, Kenyan police shot dead Arshad Sharif.
Sharif, a prominent TV anchor, was known for his robust criticism of Pakistan’s powerful military leaders and political corruption.
Former president Arif Alvi awarded the investigative journalist the Pride of Performance in March 2019.
A Kenyan court has now ruled that authorities acted unlawfully and violated Sharif’s right to life.
Accordingly, his widow, Javeria Siddique, has received £61,000.
Sharif, a father of five, received many death threats. In fear for his life, he fled Pakistan on August 10, 2022. He arrived in Kenya 10 days later.
Two months later, police killed Sharif in the Kenyan town of Kajiado.
Across Pakistan and the international community, Sharif’s killing caused outrage.
Indeed, the slow response from officials in investigating promoted UN experts to criticise both Pakistan and Kenya.
Kenya’s police had argued the killing was a result of mistaken identity.
However, reports highlighted that bullets riddled Sharif’s car.
Delivering the verdict and ruling on compensation, Justice Stella Mutuku asserted:
“Loss of life cannot be compensated in monetary terms nor is the pain and suffering the family must have gone through.
“But there’s consensus that compensation is appropriate remedy for redress in violation of fundamental rights.”
Moreover, the judge ruled that the authorities violated Sharif’s rights by failing to prosecute the two officers involved. This failure was caused by the director of public prosecutions and the independent policing oversight authority.
Ochiel Dudley, the lawyer representing Sharif’s wife, said that “this is a win for the family and a win for Kenyans in their quest for police accountability”.
Sharif’s widow expressed her gratitude to the Kenyan judiciary for their ruling on her husband’s killing.
However, she stated her work was far from over:
“This ruling has come as a relief to me and my family, but I will not relent in getting maximum justice for my husband”
Javeria Siddique is determined to campaign to protect journalists like her late husband. She aims to gain the help of the United Nations and the Committee to Protect Journalists.
Arshad Sharif’s death shocked many across Pakistan. He gained tributes from fellow journalists and celebrities.
Actress and model Mariyam Nafees Amaan emotionally wrote in a post:
“Unbelievable! Tragic seems like such a tiny word.
“You tried your best. Your efforts will not be forgotten.”
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