Prominent Pakistani journalist shot dead by Kenya police, spread anger across country

October 24, 2022

By The South Asia Times

ISLAMABAD: A prominent Pakistani journalist Arshad Sharif has shot dead by the Kenya police on Monday, his family said.

Taking to her official Twitter handle, his wife Javeria Siddiqui said "I lost friend, husband and my favourite journalist Arshad today, as per police he was shot in Kenya.”

Later Pakistan Foreign Ministry also confirmed and said the country’s High Commissioner in Kenya received initial information about the death of Mr. Arshad Sharif early in the morning of 24 October.

“The High Commissioner accordingly contacted the police authorities, and senior officials at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other departments. Office of the Vice President was also contacted for confirmation,” said the ministry and adding the Mission was informed that the body was in Chiromo Funeral House in Nairobi.

“The High Commissioner along with Mission’s officers reached the location, and has identified the body of Mr. Sharif.”

Local Kenya media said Pakistani journalist was shot dead Sunday night along the Nairobi-Magadi highway in what police termed as a mistaken identity.

Arshad Sharif was shot in the head and killed by police after he and his driver allegedly breached a roadblock that had been set up to check on motor vehicles using the route, local media outlet The Star reported.

However, the Kenya police statement is contradictory and has many gaps as they targeted Sharif on the head while the other colleagues traveling with him all remained safe.