Kenya, Pakistan Collide Over Arshad Sharif Shooting

International media reports also claimed that the journalist was shot at close range, dismissing a case of mistaken identity as claimed by Kenyan authorities.

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Nov 10, 2022 - 12:30
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Kenya, Pakistan Collide Over Arshad Sharif Shooting
Pakistani's former News anchor Arshad Sharif. /FILE

The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has maintained that investigations revealed that police officers were involved in the fatal shooting of Pakistani journalist Arshad Sharif in Kenya.

The Nation reported that IPOA chairperson, Anne Makori, supported a statement issued earlier by the National Police Service (NPS), indicating that the investigative journalist was shot dead by General Service Unit (GSU) officers.

She based this on findings revealed from investigations carried out by a rapid response team that was sent to the scene of the incident in Kajiado County.

While noting that IPOA established that Sharif died as a result of a gunshot wound to the head, Makori noted that the agency will investigate the circumstances surrounding his shooting.

IPOA chairperson, Anne Makori. /FILE

“The team established that police were involved in the shooting. The matter falls within the mandate of IPOA,” Makori said. 

“IPOA is going to make appropriate recommendations once investigations are completed."

However, an autopsy conducted on Sharif's body revealed that he was tortured for hours before his death, adding that his nails were pulled from his fingers which were broken, same as his ribs. 

International media reports also claimed that the journalist was shot at close range, dismissing a case of mistaken identity as claimed by Kenyan authorities.

It was further reported that Khurram Ahmed, Sharif's brother and driver of the car on that fateful night, used a different route from the normal route they were accustomed to. 

In addition, fresh reports have claimed that the missing car at the centre of the shooting on Sunday, October 23 was found 30 minutes before he died. Douglas Wainaina, who reported the missing car at Magadi Police Station, noted that it was traced again to a petrol station in Kiserian.

Wainaina had claimed that he left his son in the car on the way to Ngara Market in Nairobi but returned to find out that it was missing. This prompted him to file a report at the nearby police station on the case.

“I then requested to see the Officer Commanding Station (OCS), who referred my matter to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) for immediate action,” Wainaina stated, adding that he traced the vehicle, with the help of two DCI officers, to the petrol station on the day Arshad was assassinated.

Responding to the queries from police officers, Wainaina's son alleged that he drove to see his mother. Earlier reports had claimed that he had rushed to attend an event. 

Pakistani Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah on Tuesday, November 8 had thrown the case upside down by revealing that the shooting was intentional and that he was a target, adding that his two brothers, Waqar and Khurram Ahmad, who were hosting Sharif in Kenya, will be questioned over his death.

Pakistani Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah addressing the Press. /NATION.COM.PK